Do you know how your website displays on the mobile web?
Many web developers and designers will know the difficulties associated with ensuring a website’s look and feel is consistent across major desktop browsers. So it is no surprise that when it comes to mobile web, it all becomes a little trickier.
The underlying problem is that mobile devices have emerged from nowhere and have done so in vast numbers. As a result of different mobiles using different browsers to access the Internet, the way in which each mobile displays web content will vary. Another problematic area is the connection speed of mobiles accessing the Internet. In general they have been slow, and from a user experience point of view, interacting with the Internet on these devices has not proven to be an engaging and user friendly experience for the user.
So what about iPhone?
With the launch of Apple’s iPhone in 2007 has a new era of mobile web begun? Well it is the first mobile device that’s come close to achieving what constitutes a good user experience of the 'real' Internet on this type of device. It lacks accessibility for people with visual impairments, but that aside, it has a good design, touch screen commands and an array of features inside.
So what browser does iPhone use? The answer is Safari, which is essentially the same browser that ships with Mac OS X and that is now also available on Windows. Safari on iPhone displays pages in the same way that you would see them on your Mac desktop, a big step forwards from most web browsers on mobile phones.
Of course, Safari on the iPhone has extra improvements to take advantage of the multi-touch technology and the mobile phone’s form factor. Tapping twice zooms into a web page column, and more zoom control is possible with a ‘pinch’ action on the screen. A flick of the finger scrolls around the page. Useful interface features appear when needed, such as an on-screen keyboard or a scrolling list of choices.
Although the iPhone has shown a dramatic improvement in user experience for the mobile web, it’s not perfect, far from it. There is a distinct lack of Flash and Java support which some have found disappointing and there has been many a debate about the speeds available at the moment and the lack of 3G. Apple will get there in the end and maybe iPhone should be seen as a glimpse into the future and it’s bright, but possibly not orange, more apple green.
So what can you do for your website?
With more and more people accessing the Internet from their mobile, what should website owners be doing to their website in order to cater for the mobile web? The answer? Cross-browser checking. With an increasing number of iPhones currently roaming the streets it is worth checking that your website displays and works correctly in Safari. If you’re using Microsoft Windows you can download the windows version of Safari and test your website through that also.
And if in doubt, you can always call in the experts! Nomensa provide many accessibility, usability and web design services that will ensure an engaging and intuitive user experience, providing your customers with an experience they will enjoy and trust, returning time and time again.
Contact us now to discuss your user experience requirements.
