design and tech blog

Mobile Web Design, Tips – Part 2

Designing web pages for mobile devices is completely different than designing for computer screens

While many individuals feel they can construct a computer based website in FIVE MINUTES with Dreamweaver; it’s not even close to mobile web reality. Here are some factors to consider when designing a mobile site:

  • iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows, etc… There is a vast amount of different smartphones. Define your audience.
  • ….If you have a large Blackberry audience, you may have to design an alternate mobile site, depending on the complexity of your design.
  • Most screens support a maximum width of 320px.
  • Though newer devices support WiFi, plan for websurfers to use their 3/4G Network connections.

There are many resources online which provide a tutorial on how to construct mobile web sites, that’s not my goal. Today, you will receive the second part of great mobile website design tips.

6. Speed Kills
Remember, your audience is ON THE GO! The mobile site needs to load quickly. A visitor is browsing for information that is relevant to his/her immediate needs. Someone browsing at home on a full size computer is a completely different scenario.

7. Contact at your fingertips
A Google Map is great for repeat customers. This cuts down on the need to copy and search your location on their end.

8. Specialized directions
Sometimes Google/Yahoo/Bing may generate driving directions that use not the most efficient routes. You may have shortcuts or other important driving/parking information.

9. Auto-Redirect: Full Size vs Mobile

This might be one of the most important overlooked tips. By adding a nifty redirect Javascript code, your mobile users will be automatically re-directed to your mobile site.

10. Names that stick
Setting up the right subdomain will help your exposure. As mobile design standards continue to change on a regular basis, strive to us the following industry standard addresses:

  • http://mobile.yourdomain.com
  • http://m.yourdomain.com
  • http://yourdomain.com/m

Stay tuned for continued mobile design tips.