Web Design for mobile Devices
May 29, 2011
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By the advancing propagation of smartphones and tablets the subject mobile web sites becomes more and more interesting. Many users want to visit her favorite web sites and blogs also on the way or just sometimes during a break. Because the mini-displays of many mobile devices are a real challenge, the web designers must exert themselves to create user-friendly mobile web designs.
As an extension of an existing web site providers should take into consideration absolutely this kind of web representation today. The advantage of mobile web sites towards e.g. Apps for different operating systems consists in the fact that they are usable with already installed web browser on nearly all mobile devices. With the help of HTML5 and CSS3 also with mobile sites a lot is realizable of what is possible with independent Apps.
But for mobile web sites something is to be followed or to think. Thus different resolution are used by different devices. For this it is a matter of creating usable user interfaces. Navigations, buttons, search fields or similar other things must e.g. operable with the fingers. Font sizes should be customised to the circumstances, so that contents on the smaller displays nevertheless can be read. Perhaps the contents should be also customised for this devices. To avoid unnecessary scrolling it sometimes makes sense to shorten contents. To hold the navigation clear, less important information should be lost in the mobile versions even completely. Because the bandwidths of mobile phone networks are often still insufficient should be also considered, to leave out pictures and graphics or to hold this specially small.
Websites which customise themselves to the display size
One approach by the creation of websites for devices with different display resolutions is a layout, that is so adaptable that it customises itself to the device or his resolution. There is only one site which looks different on every device. This can be realised for example by pure CSS style sheets. Herewith navigation and Kontent are customised in her representation and arrangement.
This concept poses a big challenge, because the site should be optimally usable in every size. For the layout this concept indicates perhaps to enter compromises.
Special mobile versions of web sites
Another approach would be to create a separate mobile version of an existing web site. The advantage is, the original site could be optimally aimed for normal displays and the mobile just for mobile devices.
As already at the beginning mentions, I think this subject is very interesting and I will follow up it. I am curious very much how this part of web design develops during the next two or five years.
How do you see currently the topic mobile web sites?
Which are your experiences by the creation / use of mobile sites?
How do you see the future of mobile web sites?
Sven Quandt
Germany
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