There had been an interesting rise in the number of users accessing their mobile phones to browse a website. This is infact going to be an increasing phenonmena in 2009 because if you go by statistics, the shipments for smart phones are set to grow by 29% around the globe, not to forget that there had been a sharp downfall of 9.1% in mobile handset market. And if you think it happens in developed nations only, then you may be perhaps taken by surprise to know that a web-enabled mobile phone is more saleable in the so-called developing nations thus making it attractive market for companies. And in such scenario, the experience of mobile web users should also be given attention and importance as it would affect the busines directly. Moreover, now a user will share his/her experience in real n virtual world as well.

Like if a teenager finds a certain website not so appealing and friendly on her phone, a client is lost for the site and she would share her frustation with her pals straight away online. Guess even worse, she can express her irritation by showing that site to her friends on her iPhone also. Hence the credibility for brand increases( or decreases) as per functioning of your websites.

And with that some points comes to mind,like:

• What is the impact of mobile users on your business?
• Who are the users of mobile web ?
• How can you bring out a mobile-specific website that works wonder?

If you do not have a technical bent then you can look for the ways you can develop a mobile strategy and if you are technical expert then you find these solutions as a solid base for moblie development.

Browsing a website on a mobile device generally reduces the conversion rate, mainly because of usability issues:

• In a mobile device, navigating the web pages is quite tedious as the users are confronted with a small screen and some touch screen controls.
• Web pages designed for traditional desk-bound users are often too bloated for our limited cellular network, resulting in laborious / terminally long page load times.

A user may not wish to buy something online while browsing your site on his mobile phone though there are chances that he may come back with desktop/laptop browser to complete his transaction if he find initial information interesting and captivating.
For instance, Paul may visit your website over his airtel to check out the price of a sweat shirt, because he is looking forward to get a fair deal,though he may be standing near a sports apparel store. In such scenario if the desired webpage takes too much time in downloading then you have a potential buyer as well as his future visits will also become doubtful.


Top Design Tips for Mobile Sites

Users want a familiar experience, so take your design cues from the navigation styles on mobile handsets and not from the conventional web experience. On a mobile device, users feel more familiar with drilling down through menus to access the content, rather than just having navigation and content on the same page, which will definitely make it crowded and messy. This way a more attractive and user-friendly mobile website can be made.

We find a good range of mobile phones screen resolutions - maintaining design as minimal and linear as far as possible to optimise the experience for all, whilst maintaining page load times really low. Keep in mind that users don’t have to jump around the page. Many devices still only have up or down functionality and non-linear design will make the user experience a nightmare, resulting in low conversion rates and poor ROI.

Make the most of your real estate by avoiding large pictures or logos. Page real estate is so valuable on a mobile site due to constraints in screen resolution and the need for large, clear buttons and boxes: images will add little value to most pages.

Always warn the user before you transfer them from mobile to traditional website. Don’t link to the full site from your mobile homepage: all content important enough to be linked to from here deserves to be redesigned for mobile.


Conclusions

Understand your mobile users even though you cannot visualise a mobile-specific web presence for your brand as for now. Because the world of mobile web users is going to grow fast.

There should be difference in the traditional website and the mobile site of your company, keeping in mind the core users of both. Mobile users will judge your site by the way of their simple and immediate goals and how rapidly they are met, and they will judge your site in the mean course. Also if you fail to live upto the users' expectation, there is much possibility of brand failure and that too publicised in the world of web.

Right now, only a few mobile websites are offering flawless services. Thus,having a good knowledge of users and their goals will not only give the edge over others, but will also ensure a strong customer base.