The mobile web is just as important as the every day web we see through our browsers, the only difference is that it is on a much smaller scale on less powerful devices. Now granted we can see the “real” web today through the iPhone and other rich html mobile browsers. Still not everyone has an iPhone nor does every smart phone have a powerful html browser. The big web companies are realizing this and are investing in powerful and intuitive mobile counter parts. Such companies that are doing this are Facebook, Google and Myspace which just recently redesigned there mobile site.
Making an effective mobile site is really not as hard as you may think. All you have to do is focus, be creative and be generalized.
Focus
Before you can build a mobile site you need to know what your users use the most. Lets take Myspace Mobile for example. Myspace is first and foremost about connecting you with friends. On the main site you will see links to music, your apps, advertisements and other such features, none of this is on the mobile site… even the ads. They are focusing on their core products which is communicating and sharing with their friends, as you can see on the image to the right. Myspace is aware that people use these services, and take note of the fact they do not display advertisements on the mobile version. It is completely focused on the core products.
(update: Myspace sparingly advertises on the mobile site)
Creativity
Myspace has a lot of core features, since all cellphones work differently and display pages in their own unique ways you need to be creative as well as be generalized. Contradicting, I know, but lets look at myspace mobile again. In the top row you will notice that there are four icons. Home, Mail, Photos and Friends. These are most likely the most clicked on links on the standard web site so it would make sense to have the icons easily accessible. Below you will see your status and will have the option to update it, and if Twitter is any example of how addicting this is it is most likely a very popular feature.
The most used features of Myspace is most likely “above the fold” otherwise known as the content displayed before you need to start scrolling. This (in my personal opinion) does not matter much for the standard web site but is vital to mobile web sites. People already look for instant gratification on their computers, this is especially true with cellphones.
Also repetiveness is key for your core features. Myspace mobile also shows Home, Mail, Pictures, and Friends at the bottom as well as the top. This cuts down on scrolling back up and contributes to the “instant gratification” factor that most cell phone users have.
One thing that I must point out that is slightly flawed on the Myspace mobile site is that many images are used. Data plans are restricted and slow, the less images the better. If a user is dedicated enough to go to your mobile site they will not need visual aids to guide them, even if it does add to the visual appeal and loads up fine on your data plan.
Be General
Remember, not everyone has the godly iPhone. I believe this is the biggest trap that mobile site developers fall into. Just because the iPhone is popular and is made for the internet does not mean you should alienate the other 90% of people who use different cell phones. They should be just as important to you as the iPhone users, if not more. A great example of this I believe is Meebo, which only created a mobile IM client for the iPhone. Alienating users that (like me) don’t have an iPhone and are forced to use services such as Heysan or Ebuddy Mobile. Doing this potentially drives people away from your service to explore different ones, a counter productive thing to do.
I am not saying it isn’t ok for you to develop iPhone specific sites, but do what Facebook or Google does then and create two versions, one for non iPhone users and iPhone users. That way you are not alienating anyone and you get the best of both worlds.
The mobile web is the next generation, and getting into this space will most likely give you the competitive edge over future companies. Just make sure your focused, creative and general. With this combination as well as an awesome site that people have come to depend upon, your mobile site can’t go wrong.
