4 Rules: Mobile Web Design

The popularity of the mobile web has been gaining phenomenal traction over the past few years. Since the launch of Apple’s Iphone in 2007, the mobile web has skyrocketed in popularity. With the growth of mobile browsing, companies can no longer afford to ignore the mobile experience. With this in mind, 60secondmarketer.com recently posted an article called “The Four Rules of Mobile Website Design” By Jamie Turner that I’d like to share. With so many customers looking to connect with your business through mobile, there are basic rules that we should keep in mind when creating or enhancing a mobile website:

1. Strive for Simplicity

When designing a mobile website, it’s extremely important to keep it simple. It should only include the most important content or features in the most simplified way, to improve functionality. Get rid of low priority content and keep your site layout as straightforward as possible. Take a minimalist approach, as this will improve the user experience.

Some steps you can take to keep it simple include:

1) Remove large graphics or videos

2) Remove lengthy copy

3) Keep the site to about 5-10 pages

2. Focus on Usability

Usability is another top priority when it comes to optimizing your mobile site. Leave lots of white space, as this gives your site a cleaner overall look, and ensures that users can easily select links and scroll through your pages. Links should be large so that they are easier to click on, and all of your information needs to be categorized and sorted logically. Finally, verify that all of your navigation, buttons, and images are clearly legible and working as intended.

3. Don’t Make Them Wait

A main reason why users abandon a website is because of slow load times. This links back to simplicity – your website should be extremely focused. Get rid of large graphics or videos, lengthy copy and any pages you don’t need to include on the mobile version of your website. This will ensure quick load times and reduce the number of visitors that you would lose with slower load times.

4. Get Inside the Mind of Your Customer

Knowing what kind of information visitors will be looking for when they visit your site can help you design your site accordingly. Limit your mobile site to the key pieces of information your visitors will likely be looking for. Google Analytics can help with this, by showing you where traffic is coming from, which sections of your website are most popular among users, and more.

Remember to keep your users in mind at all times, to ensure that you are creating a meaningful user experience. Don’t forget to test your mobile website to make sure it’s working as intended, and always be on the lookout for new ideas to help improve your mobile web design.

Jaclyn Bickerton, Social Media, Raven5 Ltd, Oakville & Toronto Ontario, July 2013

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