It’s definitely official, mobile devices are here to stay, but with different devices and operating systems, converting to mobile can seem daunting. Not sure how to convert your existing content for a mobile experience? Incorporate these best practices when creating content for mobile users.
Consider your audience
Before you create a mobile application or mobile website, you first need to think about your target audience. Design real estate is limited and each user could potentially be viewing from a different operating system or interface (e.g. Apple iOS, Android, mobile, desktop, or tablet). Additionally, each user will have access to varying Internet speeds and strength. Ask yourself the following:
- Why is my target audience viewing mobile content?
- What are they viewing?
- How does a mobile website or application improve their user experience?
Simplicity is key
Because there are so many factors with mobile devices (e.g. screen size, WiFi capabilities and OS), it’s best to keep your design simple. For best practices on mobile content, use a simple layout, one that is clear, informative and fast. Try to compress any images, without compromising the clarity or comprehension, to reduce load times and use only jpeg, gif or png formats. Consider creating clickable buttons rather than including multiple links, as fingers tend to be too thick to select an individual link from a link bank. Knowing flash is not supported on Apple devices, consider these questions:
- Can my users access all of my content?
- Will my content be viewable on all devices?
- Is my navigation/layout clearly represented?
Use responsive design
The best way to reach your target audience on any device is to use responsive design. From a content management perspective, it alleviates the hassle of maintaining two sites (mobile vs. desktop) and the design automatically adjusts the resolution for any device (e.g. mobile, desktop and tablet). Additionally, Google prefers this format for mobile content, and your site will be rewarded (in terms of search).
As you audit your existing content, remember to keep these best practices in mind for creating great mobile content. Research your target audience and tailor your layout with them in mind. Knowing mobile users are using a variety of devices, keep your design simple in order to reduce load times. Finally, use responsive design to allow optimal viewing on any device.
Which best practice has been the most helpful in developing your mobile content?
