The term ‘mobile web’ encompasses a broad array of features, and it is simply put as – the usage of internet from a mobile device. This usage spans the use of internet from mobiles through the browsers as well through native applications (apps). While accessing through a browser is easy, it is not always convenient, due to several reasons such as the smaller size of the screen and hence the smaller font size, the problems with connectivity, performance, etc. Hence, most of the companies have provided the users with native applications along with their normal websites.
Today, there are millions of mobile users out there, and this frontier seems to be rising like anything. Hence, it would be the most costly mistake any company makes if they neglect this segment of its users. But, at the same time, the company should really research and gauge the need to make a mobile website, and only then should they divert their efforts towards that endeavor. They should find out if their target audience really uses mobile devices and also if they access their websites from mobiles only for specific functions like searching about their information or for some extensive purpose like buying their product online.
Although the native applications result in a better performance due to their being optimized for the particular device, they have a limitation. Due to the large number of operating systems for mobile devices and also the number of different manufacturers, the companies need to make mobile apps for each particular type of operating system or platform. Mobile websites reduce this headache of companies by being universally accessible. Also, the companies have the option of optimizing websites for use on mobile devices, thus managing two separate sites – one for PCs and another for mobile devices.
Since mobile website design has become such an important aspect, there are several guidelines any developer of a mobile website needs to follow from the User Experience (UX) point of view so that using the website through any device becomes a breeze for the viewer. First of all, the designer should try to keep the font size so that it is not too small to be read by human eyes. He should try his utmost to avoid the efforts to pinch and zoom. The design should be friendly with the fingers and should not contain too many small arrows or scroll bars so as to save the inconvenience for the users.
Also, the designers should take extra care while placing the text on the screen. Usually, single column displays work well on most types of mobile screens. Also, the navigation needs to be designed so as to present minimum efforts to the user. Here, responsive navigation menus are the best bet for any type of website. Nowadays, due to the emergence of various mobile technologies and practices like responsive web design, the users are experiencing enhanced performance from their favorite websites. Also, HTML5 has reduced the efforts of the designers as well while providing them with many advanced tools to practice their trade.
Mobile web design is fast becoming important. There are many websites and books which provide guidelines about mobile website design. You can refer to them so as to stay abreast with the latest changes in the technology.