Nipissing website goes mobile

Nipissing is pleased to announce the launch of a new mobile-based website, optimizing key sections of the university’s website for mobile devices, like smartphones, to aid in recruitment efforts.The mobile site can be accessed here.  When using it on your mobile device, a window will pop up asking you to add the site to your home screen as a tile.  It is similar in look and feel to a traditional app.
The site features links for current and future students, news, events, videos, maps and directions, staff directory and athletics.  It provides some excellent and easy functionality for users.  For example, students can search and order books directly from the bookstore wherever they might be located right from the palm of their hand.  There is also a feedback button to encourage discussion on the site, what’s working and what’s not working and what might be missing.
The site is designed to work on allmobile? platforms including: IOS, BlackBerry and Android.
“The mobile site allows us to communicate more effectively in a rapidly growing format.  It’s especially important for student recruitment that we provide information to our students in the manner that they are most comfortable with, and all indications are that mobile use is booming,” said Beverly Martin, director of marketing communications and development.  “Thanks to University Technology Services and the External Relations and Advancement office for their great work on this project.”
Currently five per cent of visitors to Nipissing’s website are accessing it on a mobile device.  That number is steadily rising; last year at the same time it was 1.8 per cent. In Ontario, 76 per cent of the population has a mobile device and 52 per cent of those users have a smartphone. Canada now has more than 8 million smartphone users aged 13 and older. (comScore) Smartphone ownership in Canada from spring 2010 to spring 2011 increased by 50 per cent. (Opendoor.ca)
Next steps for the mobile site include adding WebAdvisor functionality and investigating the potential to access the library catalogue, both key considerations for students.