Posted on by Leslie

iPhones and marketing

With the advent of the iPhone and its popularity with the creative class, we should take some time to consider its implications in marketing for creatives. If your website is only Flash-based, your iPhone-wielding audience can’t see your site. You need to have an html version for that.

“So what?” you might be thinking, “if they can’t see it on their iPhone they’ll just use the computer later.” Well, I’m not so sure of that. Creatives are often short attention span folk and if they can’t see it now, they may very well forget to look later. Let’s say you send an email promo with a link to your site. The AD gets the email while on a shoot with a different photographer, on location, and carrying his iPhone. He loves the image on the promo and clicks to see your site, but can’t get it because of the Flash issue. There is a missed opportunity.

I think more and more creatives (ADs, etc.) will start carrying iPhones and using them rather than computers, as much as possible. This will mean redesigning emails and sites to maximize how they are seen on an iPhone, if you want to reach these people on their first line of connection. Yes, they will still use the computer and may, eventually, get to looking at your site using that second line of connection, but I think those who get in first will have a better chance at making a great first impression.

3 Replies to “iPhones and marketing”

  1. Leslie – GREAT point; I’ve been (sloooowly) getting my website plan together and had been considering diving in with something like LiveBooks. I think the Flash designs are popular for their animation, etc. – but also because most DIY web page programs work through flash. But WHEW – when you made the Iphone example, I realized what a big risk that is for accessibility.

    I’ve realized (to my billfold’s chagrin) that web design just doesn’t seem to be an area where you can “skimp.”

    1) Flash introduces a lot of compatibility issues; sometimes a site won’t load right, but try a different browser and – PRESTO – it works. But an A.D. likely won’t try a second browser…they’re going to assume your site is broken.
    2) Load times. People who hire web designers should make sure they’re getting exactly what they ask for, and not someone who’s trying to win a Com Arts award; a site with tons of flash animation might be “fun” – until you’re on a slow connection and get to watch the progress bar…not so fun.
    3) Design elements – I don’t know what it is with flash, but for whatever reason people seem to opt for a lot more things like “colored dots/squares/dragons as thumbnails”. The “lip thumbnail cropped from a full-length shot” can also confuse. Though I’ll admit I procrastinate enough to post long responses on blogs, even I get tired of guessing my way through. In an odd way, it’s like the oooolllld days, when navigating was a series of blind “next” buttons. Navigation’s come a long way – take advantage of it and make it easy for your clients to find what they’re looking for! 🙂
    4) Just a personal realization: I find nothing more annoying than a “next” button that changes x/y coordinates on the screen when moving from one photo to the next. It’s like hunting squirrels in the old Oregon Trail video game. LOL. Keep that thing stationary! 🙂

    Anyway, maybe some people will find those thoughts helpful in designing their own pages – or in discussions with the web designer. Oh – and be careful hiring friends at cut-rates; I’ve known literally a dozen photographers who’ve pulled their hair out waiting 6+ months for the site to be done while their friend (understandably) prioritizes full-rate gigs. Just food for thought.

    ~Rob

  2. Leslie,

    Do you know of any photog’s who’ve developed specific iPhone versions of there sites?
    iPhone has just hit us here in the uk and I want to produce an iphone specific version of my folio, and was interested in any ideas you have or have seen?

    Si

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