NUS Launches Mobile-optimised Site

nus extraThe National Union of Students (NUS) has launched a mobile-optimised version of its website and integrated its sales function with major social networks in order to make it easier for students to buy its NUS extra Student Discount Card. Students can also save money on deals from a wider variety of commercial partners. The mobile technology has been designed and implemented by digital agency Code Computerlove, NUS extra’s digital partner of more than 12 years.

The mobile-optimised site features bigger buttons for easier viewing on a smaller screen; forms that are optimized for easier data input on mobile, and a reduction in the number of steps required to buy a card.

The payment process uses a mobile version of the World Pay Payment gateway, and students can immediately access a photo for the card’s photo ID requirement by uploading directly from their Facebook photo library.

The introduction of the mobile sales channel follows the success of a free NUS extra Student Discount Companion app, launched last year, that has been downloaded 61,000 times to date.

“More than 60 per cent of cardholders buy their discount card through our online sales channel and this is growing every year, but our analytics also showed that an increasing number of students were looking to buy the card on mobile devices,” explained NUS group IT and new media director, Matt Thornhill. “So our aim has been to remove any barriers to purchase via mobile channels and to enable students to access the deals in the best possible way to suit their lifestyle.”