While it may seem obvious that mobile phone usage is more prevalent than at any other point in history, taking this fact for granted can literally tank your business. Make no mistake, today’s social environment is characterized by expediency and instantaneity, both of which are epitomized in the mobile user experience. This influx of usage combined with social necessity means that people are using their phones for a wider range of purposes. Consequently, for designers, developers, and business owners, the task at hand becomes finding ways to improve the user’s mobile experience. While this task may initially seem somewhat daunting, the following list will provide you with five suggestions concerning how to optimize your mobile user experience.
1. Navigation
One of the trickiest aspects of mobile design is creating content that works across both iOS and Android platforms while simultaneously optimizing their functionality with both operating systems rather than a computer monitor. The need for this task becomes strikingly apparent when considering how to implement mobile navigation. First, it is crucial to use simple, straightforward menus with an inherently minimalistic design. Stay away from menus with multiple levels and large menu bars, as these take up space and repel customers, rather than encouraging them to explore the site.
2. Emphasize Interactivity
Some of the benefits afforded by mobile technology are convenient visualization and instant response. If your mobile presence does not take these factors into account then users will have a difficult time interacting with your site, which could dissuade them for using your services in the future. However, this pitfall can be avoided simply by emphasizing the visibility of crucial links and interactive elements. Users should immediately gain a sense of how to interact with the page and where to tap for additional information.
3. Expediency
As anyone with a pulse in today’s inherently technological environment knows, our modern era is characterized by speed. The dissemination and widespread use of mobile devices has only exacerbated this factor, which means that you should keep it at the forefront of your mind when attempting to optimize your mobile user experience. Making customers wait is a surefire means of losing their business. Fortunately, many lags can be avoided by thorough and competent planning, such as using more compact image sizes and using a small number of CSS and JavaScript files.
4. Progressive Disclosure is a Must
For those unaware, progressive disclosure aims to reduce irrelevant page elements, enabling only the most basic information to be conveyed. This will result is a cleaner, more optimized user experience. Implementing progressive disclosure is simple enough: keep information brief and concise, enabling your customers a quick and effective means of navigating and receiving information from your site.
5. Search Forms
Second to excessive lag times, the biggest detriment to a mobile experience is an ill-equipped search form. If customers cannot reach a target search and achieve their objective, what is the point of a mobile site at all? To avoid dissatisfactory search forms, implement content filters and smart searches. The former will lead customers in their intended direction, while the latter will display relevant search options using incomplete words.
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