In the evolution of the internet, we went from big bulky computers, to reasonably sized desktops, to laptops, to smart phones, and now, to tablet-like computers combining the idea of the laptop and the smart phone together.
According to an article posted by TechCrunch a month ago, time spent on Facebook’s mobile site and apps per month (441 minutes) has finally surpassed usage of its classic website (391 minutes). The article goes on to say that now “there’s 78 million Americans age eighteen and older who use Facebook mobile, and they spend 7.3 hours per month there on average, compared to the total 160 million Americans who use Facebook and spend an average of 6.5 hours on its website per month.”
Using the Facebook statistics as an example, it seems like the atmosphere of the internet is rapidly going mobile. Fashion design houses and brands have been paying attention to this transition in how their customer base receives information. Are they more likely to click on something on their phone? Or actually sit down at a computer? And the answer is pointing towards the former.
Furthermore, designers such as Michael Kors and Rachel Zoe have tapped into the idea of the ‘fashion app’ to stay a step ahead of their competition — and just yesterday, Tory Burch relaunched her Tory Blog along with a Tory Daily iPhone and iPad app. An article on WWD describes the app, “Billed by the brand as a ‘once daily delivery system,’ content is divided into the same six sections as the blog that users can control through customizable geo-located push notifications. Content on the app — with an emphasis on integrated e-commerce elements — will be updated daily, and there are additional perks for users such as free shipping and access to previews and exclusive events only available on the app.” The article goes on to note that in 2011, toryburch.com saw a 90 percent increase in traffic and online sales grow by 87 percent.
So, what does all this information mean to the independent fashion blogger?
Judging on how larger fashion corporations and websites are moving mobile, it may mean that the blogging community is next up to bat. Will we soon be taking photos, writing, and uploading posts, then surfing through our other favorite blogs and commenting, strictly through our phones? What do you think?
[Image credit: Mobile Model via Shutterstock]
Thank God for revolutionising mobile phones! Recently I was at an event but could not bring my big SLR camera so I just relied on my phone, and the result was surprisingly good 
I think making sure our content is mobile and tablet friendly is definitely a must. However I honestly couldn’t see myself depending on my phone for blogging. My content is more on the written, editorial side than picture heavy and it takes me longer to type on my phone than on the computer. If a fashion blog had mostly images, then I can maybe see that.
As for surfing and commenting, I do that a lot on my phone actually. With my WordPress app I can reply to comments on my blog, check my stats, etc. The Google reader app on my phone lets me keep up with my blogs on the go, which really comes in handy!