Mobile Web
The mobile web is simply referring to browser-based Internet services accessed via handheld portable devices, including smartphones or even other low-powered mobile phones, via a cell or other mobile network. This type of Internet access has increased in popularity over the past few years. Why has this trend developed? The answer lies in the fact that people want a wide array of tools and information available to them when they are on the road. In this case, the Internet is used as a vehicle to provide this wide variety of information.
One example is the ability to access maps, directions, shopping lists, news, and even social networking sites. With a smart phone, you can access websites like Facebook and Twitter right from the comfort of your automobile. No longer do you have to get on the computer and download content. And no longer do you have to deal with slow or unreliable Internet connections. The mobile web makes it possible to take advantage of today’s high-speed Internet for free.
Additionally, mobile platforms are becoming increasingly user friendly. As companies continue to develop more interactive and accessible web sites for mobile platforms, users will expect even better user experience. With this in mind, there are some features available today on some mobile platforms that aren’t available on desktop computers. These include:
Navigation bars. Navigation bars appear at the top of some websites when you tap on a page. They allow you to view the website’s contents without having to scroll down the screen. Web developers have found that by putting the navigation bar on top of a website, users have a more pleasant experience when navigating through the site.
Native apps. Native apps are specifically written to work only with specific mobile platforms. Because they are written in a programming language distinct from the one used to develop the website, mobile website development is more difficult than it would be for a regular website. However, mobile website development does offer several benefits over using a regular web browser. For example, mobile app users can tap into the native app to watch a video rather than tapping and selecting a web browser’s open button. Also, the content of the app is contained within the app itself, so you don’t need to write code for each individual feature.
The Android Market. Android is the leading mobile platform and it is used by millions of users. Because it runs almost all mobile-related apps, it has a large app store and millions of apps that customers can choose from. This means that if you have an existing mobile website, it is highly likely that customers will be able to find an app that fits their needs. This is why many companies prefer to create an app for their site as opposed to hiring a web designer and developing the site from scratch.
Responsive Web Design. In the not too distant past, websites could only be viewed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. However, with the introduction of touch screen devices like the iPhone and Android, responsive web design started to gain popularity and is now becoming one of the best ways to market an online business. While there are other elements that go into building a website (like website design), the layout and content should adapt well to different size screens since this increases user experience and increases sales.
Please Help Me! Mobile Web Optimization. As our mobile-using society increases, it is important for websites to adapt as well. Some companies have developed responsive design that works with both desktop and smartphones, but not all.
