eBay are to launch a new mobile version of the site specifically aimed at smart phone users who don’t use eBay Apps. Initially it’ll only be available for eBay.com on the iPhone, followed by Android and then global roll out to start in 2011.
One thing in the press release struck a chord with me, eBay say “We’ve actively diverted millions of users from our mobile website m.ebay.com to our iPhone, Android and BlackBerry apps. However, despite us diverting traffic, mobile web revenue growth is increasing at the same pace as our mobile app business“. I guess I’m one of those users, I don’t tend to use apps, but just open the browser on my mobile phone to browse the Internet.
Mobile websites are often limited compared to the full site experience (take a look at https://m.ebay.com/ for example). However with the new mobile website eBay are promising a host of features such as auto-complete, expandable swiping galleries, remote content for galleries that don’t require additional download and a floating menu bar that keeps the most important controls always on the screen. Of course the normal site features such as the ability to browse categories, save and refine searches, sort results by price, time, and location, and find similar auctions or other items listed by the same seller will also be included.
The development of a new mobile site is all about giving the buyer choice. Buyers can choose whether to browse the full eBay site, whether to use a mobile version of the site, or whether to download an app to make their purchases.
When you’re use your mobile for the Internet what do you prefer? Do you use an App, do you like mobile optimised sites or do you tend to visit the full site on your mobile phone’s browser?
4 Responses
I love the Android app. I actually use it for buying/bidding/watching in preference to the main site now, because it’s not cluttered up with stupid promotions that don’t interest me.
I use both the Iphone Apps. The selling one is great for selling of personal items quick and easy.
unsure wether there is a need for a mobile version, most smartphone users have an ‘app for that’
😉
Just experienced eBay’s new “mobile site” on my iPhone… If there’s a way to get back to the full site I’d love the option. If I just wanted to browse or buy (which you can do with their app) I wouldn’t mind, but I am stuck with the same My EBay limitations as the app, I can’t do anything! I keep trying to get the full site back but there is absolutely no option that I can find…