Optimizing User Experience for Mobile Websites

Factors to consider when developing mobile apps and optimizing websites for mobile devicesWhen it comes to optimizing sites and applications for mobile devices, there are several factors developers and designers must take into consideration.  If a mobile app or mobile-optimized site does not have an intuitive and simple interface, users can easily be detracted from installing and using the app, or exploring the site (both on the mobile platform and on a full desktop or laptop platform).  

Due to the wide assortment of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, the task of delivering a uniform look and experience to the user can become exponentially more complicated.  Among the most common issues to consider and plan contingencies for are:

  1. javascript support
  2. display size and orientation
  3. streaming media support
  4. fixed text and image sizes
  5. number of user interactions required to access common features
  6. ability to switch to full website from mobile optimized site 
  7. data compression for faster loading

With the increased demand for mobile applications and mobile-commerce, a streamlined and user-friendly user experience is essential to retaining customers, generating leads, and turning sales.  You can learn more about usability best practices in this two-part series published in September 2011 and featured on usability.com:

Additionally, PursueMobile recently featured a great blog post about using HTML5/CSS3 for mobile app and mobile site development.  Check it out here.

e-Marketer also featured an article on October 31:  Mobile Advertising Goes Mainstream.  Discover just how much companies are spending in this new medium.