What's Up with Websites & Mobile Devices?
H
ow many times have you surfed the web on you iPhone, iPad or Android and ran into a website that just won't render correctly. Although this problem is becoming less common, it still happens.
You may also notice that many websites do actually render on a mobile device, but the website you see may not be optimized for viewing on mobile devices. For instance, you see the entire website, but you have to incessantly scroll around in order to access all of the navigation. There is a way around this...it's developing a mobile site that is built specifically to be viewed on mobile devices.
You may also notice that many websites do actually render on a mobile device, but the website you see may not be optimized for viewing on mobile devices. For instance, you see the entire website, but you have to incessantly scroll around in order to access all of the navigation. There is a way around this...it's developing a mobile site that is built specifically to be viewed on mobile devices.
Even if you have an existing website, the site can be developed to work effectively on a mobile device. Check out these effective techniques to make your website easy to use and navigate on practically any mobile device.
1. Make sure your existing website is coded to recognize when its being viewed on a mobile device. This coding automatically renders your optimized mobile site when viewed on an iPad, or any other mobile device.
2. Reduce the amount of content for your mobile site in order to make it function better. Not everything you see on a PC is necessary on a truncated mobile site.
3. Treat Navigation differently. The navigation for your mobile site should be easy to see and use. A pretty navigation bar just isn't necessary when buttons can get you to information quickly and efficiently.
4. Decide if you need more than one mobile site. You may need more than one mobile site if a large portion of your viewing audience uses mobile devices supporting smaller screens (such as a company's salesforce which are issued Blackberry's, etc.). Even though this phenomenon is becoming less common, it is something to take into consideration.
5. Design your mobile site for touch screen and non-touch screen users. With the proliferation of smart phones, this is becoming less common. But mega-sized websites such as Facebook afford several options for different mobile device users, so its something to consider.
6. Use built-in functionality. A good example of this is the use of QR code functionality. This popular function allows viewers to easily and quickly scan and reach targeted information on your site. Phone call and Map functionality are other built-in capabilities available on smart phones that work automatically to help the viewer access and use information.
7. Mobile Apps. Your mobile site can have its own Mobile App that users can download and place on their smart phones. This is a good way to have your mobile site stay in front of the viewer -- and you can make the app available from your standard website.
If you need help developing a mobile website, call Whippet Creative. We'd be happy to help!
1. Make sure your existing website is coded to recognize when its being viewed on a mobile device. This coding automatically renders your optimized mobile site when viewed on an iPad, or any other mobile device.
2. Reduce the amount of content for your mobile site in order to make it function better. Not everything you see on a PC is necessary on a truncated mobile site.
3. Treat Navigation differently. The navigation for your mobile site should be easy to see and use. A pretty navigation bar just isn't necessary when buttons can get you to information quickly and efficiently.
4. Decide if you need more than one mobile site. You may need more than one mobile site if a large portion of your viewing audience uses mobile devices supporting smaller screens (such as a company's salesforce which are issued Blackberry's, etc.). Even though this phenomenon is becoming less common, it is something to take into consideration.
5. Design your mobile site for touch screen and non-touch screen users. With the proliferation of smart phones, this is becoming less common. But mega-sized websites such as Facebook afford several options for different mobile device users, so its something to consider.
6. Use built-in functionality. A good example of this is the use of QR code functionality. This popular function allows viewers to easily and quickly scan and reach targeted information on your site. Phone call and Map functionality are other built-in capabilities available on smart phones that work automatically to help the viewer access and use information.
7. Mobile Apps. Your mobile site can have its own Mobile App that users can download and place on their smart phones. This is a good way to have your mobile site stay in front of the viewer -- and you can make the app available from your standard website.
If you need help developing a mobile website, call Whippet Creative. We'd be happy to help!