Mobile hasn't killed Desktop just yet

Cristian Level X³

December 4, 2017, 3:30 am

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Tired of all the articles as well as Internet gurus out there continually telling you for a few years now that Desktop traffic is dead? Buried? Not worth mentioning?

They say its all about the mobile traffic now, and they are mostly right. Yes, mobile drives a lot of traffic, yes for most niches mobile traffic is highly significant if not more important than desktop traffic.

The statistics above tell me one thing. The desktop isn't dead yet! It isn't growing either. It just is, a massive portion of the total amount spent by users online. As far as overall searches made from desktops, that is still growing, not as fast as mobile, but it is growing every year.

People have learned to split their time between desktop and mobile in a very efficient way.

We need to understand how people use desktop devices and why. First of all, the average page views are higher on the desktop compared to mobile.

What is the reason behind this? I believe it all has to do with the way people research serious stuff. Their productibility will always be higher on desktops compared with mobile.

1. The desktop is also being used to finish online orders, the research part may move to mobile, surfing around and adding products to the wish list but the actual order and the real research is often done on the desktop. This means desktops are being used intermediary and people are actually jumping from one device to the other.

2. From an SEO point of view, this means only one thing: you need to be ready for both types of traffic. Both platforms should be high quality making the transition as flawless as possible. You can afford to have a really good desktop version of the site but a terrible unresponsive version for the mobile or a highly optimized and UIX developed mobile version only to have an old looking desktop version.

3. Optimisations should be constant and to the same degree for both worlds. Otherwise, you will surely lose customers when they start switching from one device to the other, not to mention the problems a low-quality SEO for either desktop and mobile can have on the overall website's organic success.

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rhombus

Cellphone and laptops/desktops serve different purposes and there is no way office functions could be completed on a cellphone. I can only imagine the frustration of trying to compose a business letter on that tiny screen.
Personally, I probably do use my cellphone to search loads of things, however when there is something important to be done (booking air tickets etc) will always reach for the laptop.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

You are right about the applications that you can only use in the computer. Even the usual word processor couldn’t run properly in mobile and even if it has an app I don’t think you can write a full article on mobile. That would kill your fingers. I think computers and mobile devices will co-exist and that there will be a time that they will again be cio-equal with the number of users that would depend on the craze.

8 years ago

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JoeMilford

Really good post here. In this age of everything app, I think that maybe the media wants us to believe, or it believes itself, that the laptop and desktop are somewhat dead as we use our phones, and their bigger brothers and sisters, our tablets. However, I do not know anyone who does not prefer their own desk, with a comfortable chair, a drink beside them on their desk, with their own stuff around, in their own cozy work environment. Sure, the phone is right there, but I know I can type faster and respond faster and with much less grammatical error on a regular keyboard. Also, splitting the tasks that we use the "tops" for and the phone for is a good way to divide your workload and your constant online communications. Honestly, I appreciate both approaches to staying connected, but I use them for different reasons at different times, and I think that your post and statistics above suggest that I am not alone in this.

9 years ago

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DenisP

You most certainly aren't alone. I couldn't imagine living in a world where I had to choose between using only one or the other. And quite honestly, if I did have to choose I would definitely choose my laptop anyway. There is just something about mobile internet browsing that doesn't strike my fancy, but I can admit it's useful in certain scenarios.

You know how many people (myself included) feel that e-readers and tablets will never replace traditional media such as books and magazines? Well, for me at least, physical books are to literature what the desktop computer is to internet browsing.

Hate is a bit of a strong word for it, but I definitely strongly dislike having to read content on a tiny smartphone screen. Much like with e-readers, sure there might be a time and place for them, but you can't beat the original in the long run.

9 years ago

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JoeMilford

I am with you, obviously, when it comes to what i would choose if i was forced to. Having both options, or more than two options, is even better, because we all find different ways to use our electronics and different ways in which to integrate them into our personal and professional lives. I really like your analogy here: "physical books are to literature what the desktop computer is to internet browsing"--that is really good way pf putting it, in my opinion!

9 years ago

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DenisP

I will never accept the idea that desktop media is dead. Yes I can acknowledge the notion that perhaps it is on the decline, but I certainly do not and will not ever believe the day will come that using your desktop/laptop becomes a rarity.

Perhaps I'm a bit biased though, given that I'm just not a fan of smartphones. The fullest extent to which I use my smartphone to browse the internet is during the early morning while it's still cold and I don't feel like leaving my warm bed yet. It is just convenient in that scenario. Perhaps as well if I'm waiting for someone while I'm out and have some time to kill, so I browse some sites.

Besides those two scenarios, I much rather prefer browsing on my laptop and I know many people who agree as well. This is why it agitates me a bit every time I see any headlines insinuating smartphones are killing desktops.

9 years ago

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Barida

I totally agree with you that the desktop ain't dead for usage. There are lots of things we can definitely do with a desktop.

9 years ago

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peachpurple

I prefer to work on my laptop rather than smartphones because the screen on phones are really small and my eyes strained a lot. Laptop processing speed is faster and I could open up many tabs at once, 25 of them !

9 years ago

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TimothyAlex

No, desktop traffic is far from dead. However, Google reports that mobile is dominating search use. That is what marketing experts are pushing the idea that desktop traffic is dead. Most businesses (online and off) want to target the consumer when they looking to buy and searching online for products or services. So, this means targeting the mobile users. WIth other strategies, like inbound marketing, mobile is less important.

9 years ago

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JoeMilford

This does make sense that the searches would be more numerous on the tablets and phones because of their basic portability and mobility. Also, app traffic is huge in our online world, and most people use their mobile devices for these capabilities and resources. I know that is pretty prominent on my more portable and handheld devices, but I rarely ever use these types of things on my laptop or desktop.

9 years ago

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TimothyAlex

Yeah, Google has labeled these as "micro-moments", when people spontaneously grab the mobile device to look up information any time of the day and in the moment. So, a person sees something on television, is talking to a friend, or whatever... if something inspires them, people now tend to perform a mobile search on reflex rather than waiting to get to a computer.

9 years ago

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JoeMilford

This is funny--I think that I've already done this about ten times already today. My girlfriend and I were talking about religion, for example, and i ended up grabbing my phone and looking at the timeline (supposed) of the life of Moses. We also looked up Jewish Gematria, and then, on a handheld tangent, we looked up the numeric values of our names in Hebrew. It should be noted that neither of us are Jewish--we just got curious about a couple of things and started dueling with our phones with "micro-moment" (as you call it) information blurbs.

9 years ago

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TimothyAlex

That is exactly why you will find so many marketing and SEO blogs pushing the idea that optimizing for mobile is not more important than desktop. It is not so much the overall website traffic. It is that search traffic and grabbing the attention of a lead at the peak of interest.

9 years ago

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jaymish2

True desktop hasn't killed mobile yet. However I think it is possible it might. I look at this mostly from a cost point of view. Desktops are more expensive than mobile devices. As infrastructure around the world improves and more people are able to access the internet,i think most people will be doing it from a mobile device. I know in my country more rural folk have started to access the internet. Most can only do this for now on their mobiles, especially as mobile devices become cheaper.

9 years ago

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Barida

It's the cost of getting a laptop that might be used for future or the business. So, I'm of the opinion that the laptop is skill better.

9 years ago

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peachpurple

However, most gamers and businessmen are able to afford desktop for their needs. Gamers need graphic cards and upgrade rams in order to supply the requirements for the latest online games, businessmen need desktop for CCTV purpose and company data processing. Hence, these people are really rich !

9 years ago

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kgord

Almost everyone I know uses some combination of both a pc and smartphone or mobile. Although I am sure there are some I don't know anyone who exclusively relies on either method to get their information delivery so both should be advertised as such.

9 years ago

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wiseagent

Well... I think although it's no longer so visible for many people, the presence of desktops around the world is still very much present (especially in financially poorer countries) and honestly I think they'll not die anytime soon.

9 years ago

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kgord

Probably not, I think marketers are smart to devise campaigns that would appeal to both users. It would just make sense honestly. There are all types of internet users out there and why not appeal to them?

9 years ago

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wiseagent

I think a well-made marketing move is a right shot to keep both options well alive for a few more years in people's mind. With this, the advantages continue on both sides (companies x clients).

9 years ago

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peachpurple

In our country there are consumers who are still using desktop on daily basis. Business companies , restaurants and offices are still using desktop computers. Personal users for gaming are using desktop, laptops couldn't fit the gaming requirements.

9 years ago

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augusta

Sure, mobile hasn't killed desktop because a lot of people uses the two and most still prefer the desktop, not with the limitation with the use of mobile.I think because people talks so much mobile makes it looks as if everyone is on mobile but from research, this assertion is not true.

9 years ago

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Tronia

I never really thought that the desktop traffic is dead... just look at how many people use desktops every single day. It would be impossible. The only thing that changed is that the mobile traffic has increased and became far more relevant if you compare it to like 5 years ago.

I highly doubt that desktop traffic will ever truly die but if you want to be successful you need to adapt and start implementing other types of things that will support other types of traffic as well.

9 years ago

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DarthHazard

Yeah, and it might be quite a while before mobile does overtake desktop...if it ever does. Most sites are now mobile responsive but I just don't think that mobile sites are quite as easy to browse through compared to desktop which is why a lot of people still prefer desktop over mobile. But who knows, maybe one day mobile will eventually overtake desktop.

9 years ago

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cmoneyspinner

Mobile will never replace desktop or laptop unless because people get tired of viewing images on large screens. Mobile devices were only invented for the sake of convenience because most people are always on the go or in places where they want or need to able to connect with others. (Like the grocery store. LOL. Mobile hasn

) When you're on the move you want and/or need a mobile device. When you're at home, chilling, why should strain your eyes if you have a big screen? Many people use mobile and desktop or laptops. The complement each other. One does not replace the other.

9 years ago

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DarthHazard

I disagree actually. It may be a long while but I do believe that at some point mobile searches may overtake desktop and that is mainly because of how convenient it is. A laptop or desktop will also be better for certain things but people are increasingly beginning to do quick searches or shopping on their phones which is resulting in the mobile search market growing rapidly.

9 years ago

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cmoneyspinner

I'm speaking like a typical American with poor eyesight. Mobile hasn

I already know the people in China pretty much do everything via their mobile devices.

9 years ago

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Everett

I still rather go on the internet with my laptop becauI fse it's just easier. The screen is bigger, and it's just easier on the eyes too. Also some websites function better on bigger screen resolutions than they would on tiny screen resolutions.

In fact, whenever i want to make money on go on my laptop, and never a mobile device (except my laptop of course). I can get more things done, and there is certain applications that i will need that my phone doesn't have.

It's just better because i am more productive, maybe because i am more use to laptops and desktops than i am to smart phones or other small mobile devices. So i can honestly say people who want to earn money on the internet 9/10 would rather do so on a laptop or desktop computer.. and maybe an ipad..

9 years ago

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Baburra

I think there will come a time when desktop traffic will be overtaken by mobile traffic but that may take a while because mobile structure is still in its infancy and as of now it still isn't as easy to navigate as it could be. One day maybe once the standard has been pushed far enough, mobile browsing will be just as efficient and easy as desktop browsing but as of now I have to admit that as convenient as it is to be able to browse on a tablet or a phone, it still isn't as good of an experience as you would browsing from a laptop because you can see a whole lot more of the page and get a better picture with a regular monitor whereas mobile browsing is still a little bit compromised at this point, even though it already is at a very good state.

9 years ago

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mildredtabitha

Mobile hasn't kill desktop just yet but I find mobile to be more convenient. Most sites I like don't work well on my phone and this forces me to use a desktop frequently. I also agree that sites should be optimized to be supported on both the desktop and mobile.

9 years ago

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Baburra

Yeah, I think most big sites now have a mobile version at least but to be honest I still find their desktop counterparts to be a lot more convenient to use as the mobile versions are still somewhat limited. I can't argue that at least having the alternative to browse on mobile is a welcome convenience though. Maybe I am just not used to mobile sites because I've grown so used to desktop versions, and perhaps the younger generation feels the opposite and are more comfortable with mobile sites.

9 years ago

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mildredtabitha

I also realized that sites which have a mobile version can be supported on phones with a version of 4.0 or 6.0 and above. For example, I can't login to Seocheckout and use it on my phone which is version 2 but I can do the same on a phone with version 6.

9 years ago

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vhinz

Mobile devices just keeps on getting better, faster, helpful, and useful in communication, entertainment, and even in work. But despite of advances and many features of mobile devices, I believe desktop is still the most efficient device in dealing with digital works.

9 years ago

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Barida

There are many transactions we can't carry around, but decide to process it using the laptop. So, I think the one that really matters is making those laptops do the job that they're meant to.

9 years ago

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wiseagent

Desktop still has power, but it is only a matter of time before it's exceeded. I see this as an advance because one day the mobiles will be considered out of date too. The future is dynamic and the changes have to keep pace with the trends.

Some people may still be resistant to change, but they will have to get used to it.

9 years ago

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potentialwriter

No matter what, mobile will never be able to kill desktop because their uses are quite different from each other. There are things a mobile device would never be able to do, but which only a desktop device can do in just a click. That's why we have mobile view and desktop view. Obviously, the views are different and this is one of what makes the difference. Personally, I have noted this difference times without number on my own devices.

9 years ago

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vinaya

Mobile traffic is increasing. Desktop traffic has, of course, lost the market share, however, it is not dead yet. Furthermore, you need desktop traffic more because you make money with desktop traffic. many people use ad blockers on their mobile devices. When there is ad blockers, ads will not show up, when ads do not show up you are not making money.

9 years ago

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overcast

Gaming, development of software and office work is not going to be ported to mobile. So surely the market will continue to be favored to the desktop. And that is not going to change any time soon. I'd say that in future the desktop will be more in demand due to the processor being more powerful for some of the 3D work and other gaming. So I am sure mobile is limited with functionality and stuff and it can't be easily taking over.

9 years ago

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coolavender

I don't believe that mobile could kill desktop traffic in the foreseeable future. It may overtake desktops in searches one of these days, but desktop will always have a place and it is probably the more important one. I, for one, will never use my smartphone to do internet banking. I don't think that it is safe enough for this purpose. If I ever shop online, I may use the smartphone to do some searches, but I'll use my laptop to finalize the purchase. I also prefer to search the internet using a bigger screen. Many users still find it easier and faster to search the internet using a regular keyboard versus the touchscreen keypad of the mobile phone.

9 years ago

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saygorem

The use of desktop computers are still the best for me because it can be a formal gadget or equipment for a job to function formally and in office workplace. Cellphone can be used but it is considered personal and not for corporate use to see as publicly.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

I am one of those who predicted that mobile browsing will be the more dominant number than desktop or laptop browsers. But maybe not now, not yet. Especially in the 3rd world country where wifi is very slow, the use of desktop is still the dominant factor simply because it is annoying to browse the internet when the access is very slow. I was in the airport last weekend and I had tried the wifi there. It did not suit my convenience for the web page to display seemed to take eternity.

9 years ago

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Soulwatcher

I think within the next 5 years desktop traffic is going to be almost non-existent. Almost everyone I know uses a smartphone for everything. Matter of fact I can't even count on one hand how many people that own a computer. They all have smartphones, tablets, and video game consoles. And think you're going to see the death of the desktop as time goes on and desktops start aging and smartphones become more advanced.

9 years ago

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ColdFlameChris

I still prefer to use Desktop to do most of the things online like my online jobs, money transactions, games, and more. I only use smartphones whenever I'm in relax mode or to check something with a quick access. There are tons of things that you do on a desktop that can't be done on your smartphone so I don't think that mobile phones will totally dominate the desktop.

9 years ago

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Judas2018

I think people still use their desktops for gaming or major projects or most things. Either that or a laptop. The issue with mobile is that people use it outside of its main purpose. It was designed for you to be able to take the web with you on the go. To work, a friends house, a trip, a vacation, etc. Yet people use it while at home or in places where they could easily sub it out for a desktop or laptop. Er go, battery life doesn't last as long. My personal preference when at home is desktop. Your eyes need a break from that tiny mobile screen anyways.

9 years ago

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Soulwatcher

I think the reason why people use mobile at home is that you can be sitting down on the couch and grab your phone or tablet and look something up in seconds without getting off of the couch. Myself I would much rather get up off the couch and use the computer.

9 years ago

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potentialwriter

Yes, mobile devices haven't killed desktops yet as there are still lots of people everywhere using the desktop devices at shops, offices, cyber cafe, business centers, schools, companies and organizations. Obviously, desktops cannot become obsolete at those places mentioned above because it's the way the nature of the jobs demands.

9 years ago

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Rumu

Off course desktop is not dead, though almost gone. We've seen a dramatic rise in the use of mobile to access the internet more than computers have ever achieved over the recent years. If not for corporate jobs and other offices which requires the use of computer systems, desktop use would have been long gone.

9 years ago

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Adesuwa08

I don't so much agree with this article, even though you tried so hard making enough points that suits, but it doesn't for me because I am more of my own opinion counts.

I have desktop and also a laptop, and guess what I don't use any of it at all except my phone, my mobile phone is now my everything and also my laptop. I do virtually everything with it, just like am typing on it now to reply you, my mobile phone has assisted me .ore than my desktop, I take it anywhere and do my assignments in it without stress. I also type my work including my articles and flash fiction, stories in it because am a writer, I am not much of a gamer maybe I would have appreciated desktop, and come to think of it I feel that desktop are going more extinct because mobile phones are upgrading on a daily. Why I think this way you may ask? Because mobiles now have all the apps a desktop can have, me seeing a desktop these days tools more like a house decoration, not much people split time between their phone and desktop I fully stick to my phone and if am not doing that am reading a book or seeing a movie on Netflix.

9 years ago

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Pixie06

It's easier for me to use my phone to surf the web. It is also more convenient for me to carry it around. However, since I work as a freelancer it is impossible for me to complete my tasks using my mobile. It is easier and faster for me to work on my computer. Moreover, the battery on my phone gets used very quickly and that's another reason I prefer to use my computer.

9 years ago

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keen2write

Great post and enjoyable to read and yeah the statements can be arguably on the desktop to mobile. Not sure about everyone else but if I had to choose a laptop to surf the internet or mobile Ermm Laptop always. I would much prefer to use my laptop to use the internet which I do anyway daily, the only time I use my mobile is answering WhatsApp messages and also the odd games I play that's it lol.

9 years ago

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fishbate

In my opinion desktop is still an asset for a long time. Desktops are still there because of versatility, its actually the vast functions that desktops have. The only thing that desktops lack is mobility, just because its not possible to bring a desktop everywhere you go physically. In terms of communication, interfacing and control desktop is still the most convenient way to use. Also in terms of computing power, desktop can be adjusted to your needs.

9 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Mobile traffic nowadays represents the bulk of total traffic and it's still growing. Eversince the emergence of Smartphones the numbers kept growing and soon enough PC will become insignificant.

8 years ago

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