Mobile Website Development Mistakes Each Developer Must Avoid
1) Not Adopting Responsive Web Design
A developer has option to choose from several mobile website development approaches. But the developer must opt for responsive web design to make the website look good on both computers and mobile devices with a single code base. Responsive web design allows developers to build websites using open technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Also, the single code base makes it easier for programmers to add new functionalities to the website and deliver updated content to users.
2) Not Focusing on Loading Speed
Most users nowadays abandon websites that do not load in 3 seconds. Likewise, Google also uses loading speed a metric while ranking websites. Most users nowadays access websites over mobile internet connections like 2G, 3G and 4G. The mobile internet connections are slower than wired networks and Wi-Fi. No developer can keep the visitors engaged without increasing the website’s performance and speed.
3) Not Optimizing Components for Touch Screen
Responsive web design enables developers to make a website look good on different devices with a single code base. But the developers must enable mobile users to navigate the website seamlessly with a single hand. Also, the users must read and access the website content on smaller screens. That is why; it becomes essential for developers to optimize key elements of a website like buttons, menu navigation, and tap elements for touch screen.
4) Not Optimizing Forms for Mobile Device
The mobile websites also accept user information and feedback through forms. But the developers must optimize the forms for mobile devices to make it easier for users to submit input. Unlike web forms, mobile forms need to be concise. The mobile forms must require users to submit only relevant information. Hence, the developers must remove additional and irrelevant fields from the mobile version of a form. The mobile websites can further accelerate user data submission process by generating information using the built-in hardware features of the mobile devices.
5) Not Including Mobile Icons
Many users nowadays spend more digital media time on mobile apps than mobile web. The modern users even love mobile websites that look, function, and perform just like native mobile apps. While developing a mobile website, the developers must explore ways to make it access the native hardware and software features of individual devices. Also, they can make the website look and function like mobile apps by including commonly used mobile icons and symbols. They must use mobile icons to convey information and instructions, and perform common actions.
6) Still Using Flash Instead of HTML5 Videos
While developing websites, many developers still deliver videos through Adobe Flash. The developers must remember that certain mobile operating systems do not support Flash. Also, most users hate accessing videos with third-party plug-ins and extensions. The developers must use HTML5 videos instead of Flash to deliver videos quickly and seamlessly to various devices. HTML5 further helps developers to embed videos into a web page without affecting its loading speed.
7) Using Too Many Popup Windows
The desktop versions of websites use popup windows to run advertisements, convey special offers, and receive user feedback. While developing a mobile website, many developers still generate popup windows to accomplish various tasks. The developers must remember that the popup windows affect the mobile user experience of the website directly and adversely. They must avoid generating additional popup windows to boost the website’s user experience and engagement.