Top 10 Mobile Design Mistakes

By | March 8, 2015

build-or-make-a-mobile-websiteWhen creating a mobile website design, you want to follow a few simple rules. Avoiding these simple mistakes can help your design not only stand out, but also bring in new customers on a regular basis. Here are the ten most common mistakes and how to avoid them. Also, read our other article about webdesign mistakes

Mistake #1: Forgetting Devices Come In All Sizes

Some websites work well on screens that are only 1.5-2″ wide, while others need a screen that is 4-6″ to be able to see everything. Remember when designing your website that mobile phones come in all sizes, so you have to allow for a responsive design that can accommodate nearly any size mobile screen.

Mistake #2: Forgetting Fingers Come In All Sizes

_65166775_65166774If your website has a lot of little spaces, some fingers may not be able to access those spaces. This seems to be especially true for mobile sites that are geared toward male users, as their fingers tend to be larger. Make the part of your website that require interaction large enough for everyone to use equally.

Mistake #3: You Tried to Make an Old Website Responsive

Using an old website and converting it just means flipping the old files into a converted form. This leaves the file sizes very large, making the website slow for mobile users. You are better off starting your website over when updating if you want mobile users to use your site regularly.

Mistake #4: Expecting People to Fill In Small Forms

Small forms are hard to work with on large websites, but when the size of the site is small, it’s next to impossible. Keep forms short and to the point if you want all of your visitors to fill in the blanks.

Mistake #5: Not Using a Responsive Design

Even the best website will not work for mobile users if the design of the website is not responsive. Use a theme that changes depending on screen size, and this mistake can be avoided entirely.

Mistake #6: Too Much Fluff in Content

Mobile users often prefer to skim the content to find only what they need. When websites have a lot of fluff, it makes skimming more difficult. Keep your content to the point and keep your visitors happy.

Mistake #7: Forgetting a Home Icon

home-icon-jpgWhen mobile users enter a new page, they like having the freedom of going back to the home page so they can navigate around your website. If you forget a home button, they have no way of getting back, which may cause them to leave your site for good.

Mistake #8: Large Graphic Use

Websites, whether mobile or standard, will slow down with large graphics, so make sure to invest in good logo animation software. The more pictures or animations you have on your website, the slower it will load. This is especially true on mobile devices, as they need sites to load as quickly as possible. They have smaller processors, so they require the smallest file sizes possible.

Mistake #9: Redirects that Go Nowhere

This is not only confusing for mobile users, this can also freeze up their devices. You always need to make sure your links work properly on as many devices as you can test them on. When in doubt, ask friends with different phones or devices than what you have access to for help.

Mistake #10: Forgetting to Ask for Input

People are often ready and willing to help out when they come across something that doesn’t work on a site they otherwise like. If you give them a location to offer suggestions or point out problems you may not have noticed, they most likely will give you feedback. Forgetting to leave a place for this can leave you in the dark about your website when people come across problems that you haven’t yet noticed. Just remember, if you are giving people the option of giving feedback, take it seriously and make the fixes as people point them out.

SOURCES:

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/02/common-mobile-web-design-mistakes/

https://developers.google.com/webmasters/smartphone-sites/common-mistakes

http://venturebeat.com/2013/04/01/make-the-mobile-web-better-by-not-making-these-4-responsive-design-mistakes/