Mobile web design differs from typical web design for sites that will be displayed on a desktop in many ways. Mobile sites must be much simpler, more direct, and must possess the ability to hold the visitors attention. A recent study showed that 60 percent of internet traffic comes from users on a mobile device. With so many mobile users, your mobile site must be competent enough to allow users to perform the same tasks they can perform on their desktop.
If your site is not mobile-compatible, or has mobile errors, Google may actually penalize the site, which can result in a decrease in the search engine results ranking. In this article, we will take a look at the top 7 tips for mobile web design.
Keep content similar to desktop version
If the mobile site differs in extreme ways from the desktop site, users may get frustrated at having to learn to navigate the unfamiliar mobile site. Most users expect to be able to perform the same functions on the mobile site as on the desktop site, as it makes tasks simpler if they are the same. Keeping the mobile site as similar to the desktop site will result in higher visitor satisfaction.
Use analytics to gather valuable information
Use analytics to determine what devices to focus on, and how specific functions should be used. Considerations should be given to operating systems, screen size and version. You need to know your audience, and using analytics will help determine what devices people are using when they visit the site, where they are visiting from, what operating system they are using, and much more.
Ensure widespread device compatibility
Your mobile site should work on as many different types of mobile devices as possible. If a visitor finds that the site does not work properly on their specific device, is unreachable, or has errors, they will simply click out and navigate to another page. Many web designers make multiple device-specific sites in order to accommodate each device separately, but this can result in higher cost and lengthy delays in getting the final product completed.
Choose a compatible web font
When choosing a web font, be sure to try to choose a more common type, at least for important text pages such as the About, Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, etc. Modern mobile device technology has improved so that most mobile devices will be able to easily handle custom fonts, but if there’s even a chance that some mobile users will be unable to read your fancy, squiggly font, you may want to revert to a more common font, as this could potentially result in the loss of sales.
Keep it simple
You’ve probably heard the golden rule: keep it simple, stupid (KISS). Although technology has greatly increased for mobile device usage, people like simple. They want to be able to find everything they are looking for within a few taps. Confusing navigation, overbloated or slow-loading content, ad-filled pages, and pages with errors will cause many visitors to become frustrated with the site.
Get user input on designs
Many web designers make the mistake of designing from a seller’s or marketer’s view when they should be designing according to a user’s point of view. The best critique you can get is from an unbiased third party who had no part in the design. Test different designs on different users with different mobile devices to gain a complete understanding of how the design operates in different environments. Multiple user reviews of your design will give you a better overall look at just how effective the design will be, as well as which areas need to be worked on.
Consider mobile battery life
Mobile device battery power has increased drastically in recent years, but it’s still very easy for people to consume their battery power. Many visitors to your site may be on older devices as well. Sure, you want a mobile site that stands out, but you don’t need 50 animated GIF files of dancing puppies to sell dog food. Keeping it simple, yet aesthetically enticing, is the key to attracting visitors, and ensuring they return again and again.
