Mobile Design: How To Wow On The Small Screen!

As smartphones and tablet computers become ever more popular, it is important that Australian businesses use better marketing techniques, which utilize these gadgets to increase sales and interest in their products and services. With so much more emphasis on the use of smartphones, it is becoming much more important for designers to design mobile sites that deliver a clear message and good usability. However, designing a really great mobile website is not as easy as it may first appear, so here are some practical tips to help you get it right first time. In this blog, our team outlines a few suggestions on how to wow the web! 

Tip 1 - Getting your Message Across
Due to their small screen size, getting your message across in a succinct way is vital if your site is going to be a success. Sites do not have this problem as they are able to display much more information, however, mobile sites do not have this luxury. With a mobile site, you will have to concentrate on specific part of your message, which will help to direct your customers to the information they require, whilst cutting down on clutter. This will help boost the user experience. If you are unsure what to focus on, then try to look at your site from a user’s point of view, and ask yourself ‘why are they here?’ Be objective, and the solution will be clear. 

Tip 2 - Branding

Even though a mobile site is going to be more basic than the company site, it will still need to be recognizable. The logos and colours that you use will need to match the ones used on your site and advertising literature.

Tip 3 - Design Usability around Touch Screens

Although some smartphone manufacturers persist with shying away from having touch screens, most smart phones are now built around this technology. Therefore, it is important that you design your site to be easy to use on a touch screen device. Stick to using one column to display information, and make sure that links are separated from each other and clearly defined.

Tip 4 - Functionality

Users of mobile sites are going to be using your site on the go, and they will want the information fast. In order to improve their user experience, it is important that you make their experience a speedy one. Remove the need to navigate through countless pages, and make contact details easy to reach.

Tip 5 - Be Innovative

Do not be afraid to incorporate new technology and new ideas into your mobile site, as it is important to be up-to-date to keep up with your competitors.

SBWD has the expertise when it comes to mobile sites, having brought them as standard to all of our site designs since we formed the business in 2012.