Mobile

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project recently released survey data on people and their cell phones. It’s probably no surprise to hear that adult cell phone usage has become virtually pervasive in the U.S. and according to Pew Research 83% own some kind of cell phone. Let’s focus on three data points from their research directly related to consumers and smartphone usage and then we’ll look quickly at possible strategies for your site.

Smartphone Research Data

In Pew Research’s telephone survey, conducted from April 26 to May 22, 2011 among a nationally-representative sample of Americans, they found:

1. That while 83% have cell phones, a little over one third of American adults (= 35%) own a smartphone of some kind.

2. 84% of those people use their phone to go online.

3. 16% reported difficulty reading something because the screen was too small.

Building Mobile Sites

It’s because of this very data we’ve been working on mobile sites OR what are actually mobile versions of an existing site. If you’re interested in developing a mobile version of your site or even just thinking about it, we feel focus on the most widespread user friendly experience possible is key. While 16% suggest difficulty, it’s likely most people’s experience isn’t great on a phone unless there’s direct access to core information. Other words, it’s possible [ if not likely] folks are looking for immediate gratification and in order to help it’s navigation to your most important content that is key.

1. Develop a front & center navigation maybe like what you see in the image above, but certainly with a sharp eye on user experience.

2. Your site detects mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, Android & Blackberry via the mobile browser used and serves up the mobile version instead of your regular site.

3. Visitors can always switch back to your regular site if they so choose, but to support better user experience in small screen based devices your mobile will show first.

If you’re thinking about mobile or any any form of site upgrade or redesign get in touch, we’d love to answer any questions or discuss neat new options.