What major mobile website guidelines should I consider?
Posted Nov 27, 2013 | Updated 10 years ago
It’s no longer enough to just have an online presence.
It’s now become necessary to have a functional mobile internet presence as well (among other things, but that’s another topic).
To help you get there, here are a few mobile website guidelines to follow when creating content:
1. Limit the Page Content
Because of the dramatically reduced display size of a mobile phone, it is often necessary to simply remove many elements that are standard on a desktop website page. Keep only the most important message and information, and make sure that the point of the page is easily discernible and right at the top.
2. Keep it Simple with a Single Column
While multiple columns or boxes are great on a desktop page, there simply isn’t room for that on a mobile page. This may mean moving things around or leaving off elements of the page entirely (see #1).
3. Have Mobile-Friendly Navigation
Aside from the fact that most traditional navigation is not conducive with rule #2, it is also difficult to select the correct link on such a small page. Extra room must be allowed with mobile navigation so that users can comfortably select the exact link they want, not the one above or below it.
4. Keep Text Entry to a Minimum
Although advances in keyboard technology on mobile phones have improved their usability immensely in recent years, people are still far more likely to make mistakes on mobile devices, & therefore may become quickly frustrated if a mobile site is demanding large amounts of typing.
Keep it to the absolute minimum: name & email address will suffice in most situations.
5. Consider Creating Multiple Mobile Sites
Because the capabilities of mobile phones varies dramatically, mobile sites which seem super simplistic on a more advanced device can completely crash an older, less advanced one.
Facebook, for example, has different mobile versions, each catering to different device capabilities. If functionality on some devices is a problem for you, this may be your solution.
6. Accommodate Both Touch and Non-Touch Phones.
In this case, the less advanced device can often have the advantage. As mentioned in #3, having squished too closely together can cause problems for touch users. Be sure to have enough space between links that users can be sure of what they’re selecting.
7. Take Advantage of the Functions of a Phone
Phones have the ability to make calls, open a map, read QR codes, and perform location-based searches with extreme ease. Use these to your advantage by placing phone numbers, addresses, etc. on a page so that they may be easily selected by the user.
Remember…
You don’t want to miss out on business because a user couldn’t find your address, hours, or list of services when they searched for you using their mobile device!
Need our advice? Let us take a look at your current mobile pages and guide you in the right direction.
- A mobile-friendly website is necessary in today’s world.
- Keep your mobile site content simple, yet clear.
- Don’t miss out on potential business due to your mobile site (or lack thereof)!