How To Make

Websites Mobile

Friendly?

With the increasing importance of mobile web and a surge in the number of people accessing websites on their mobile phones, it is becoming extremely imperative for website owners to have a mobile

version of their websites available for users.

There are certain areas that need special attention when it comes to mobile websites. Working on

these can make a website real user friendly even on handheld devices. Let’s take a look at them:

1. Using any of the standard images editing software, the images on the website need to be

resized for small screens. This avoids the problem that small screen devices face in loading images and graphics designed for large screens. It thus

makes sure the user gets the complete website on his/her mobile. Compressed images also help in

conservation of bandwidth.

2. Keep a separate style sheet for the mobile version. This helps design the mobile version

separately and thus being able to introduce new features, eliminate ones not needed for small

screens and thus become more efficient.

3. It’s advisable to have the content present in a linear, one column design. This helps horizontal browsing and avoids viewing issues on a mobile

device.

4. Very clear site navigation holds importance whether on a computer or a mobile phone. It needs

prioritising the website pages according to importance, frequency of usage/ access. Then links of the sections/ pages that are low on priority need to be removed from pages that are very important. It helps ensure the user reaches the desired page

with the minimum number of clicks and least distracted.

5. Like any other feature of a website, the mobile version also needs to be tested before it goes live. Every loophole needs to be fixed and all the pages not functioning properly need to be dealt with. The

testing needs to be done on Blackberry, iPhone, phones that are android and otherwise.

6. Images or features that you think are not so important to the user and slow down the loading process must be removed right away. On mobile web, you want your user to receive services and

options precisely according to his requirements and nothing else.

7. In case of resource crunch, website owners could use the Opera browser to test their features for

small screens as it has that facility.

8. Some would also advise not to specify the size of images in pixel while designing the mobile version. Pixel specifications are known to result into rigid browser sizes; hence ‘percentage’ should be used.

They are suited to multiple screen sizes.

While all the above mentioned aspects help make a website very user friendly, it goes without saying

that all the features that make regular websites user friendly, must stay intact. Content must be meaningful, browsing must be made easy,

important links should be available on multiple pages and unnecessary pop ups must be avoided.

Mobile compatibility is increasingly becoming a default feature for websites, so no website willing

to stay in business can afford to sit back.