Discuss some of the unique features that must be taken into account when designing a mobile Web presence

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Designing a mobile Web presence is somewhat different from designing a Web site that will be accessed via a traditional desktop computer. For instance, mobile hardware is smaller, and there are more resource constraints on data storage and processing power. The mobile platform is also constrained by slower connection speeds than provided by traditional desktop computers. As a result, file sizes should be kept smaller, and the number of files sent to the user reduced. Mobile displays are much smaller and require simplification, and some screens are not as easily visible in sunlight. Touch screen technology also introduces new interaction routines that are different from the traditional mouse and keyboard. The mobile platform is not as easy to use as a data entry tool, and therefore choice boxes and lists should be used more frequently so that the user can easily scroll and touch-select options, rather than type them in. You will also want to determine whether to create a mobile-friendly version of your e-commerce site or implement responsive Web design or adaptive Web design, or create an entirely new mobile app. You can choose to build a mobile Web app, a native app, or a hybrid app. Building a mobile Web app that uses the mobile device's browser requires more effort and cost than developing a mobile Web site, suffers from the same limitations as any browser-based application, but does offer some advantages such as better graphics, more interactivity, and faster local calculations. Building a native app, which is programmed for specific mobile operating systems, requires much more programming; however, it will allow you much greater creative rein in making a unique customer experience. You can also choose to create a hybrid, cross-platform mobile app with various low-cost or open source app development toolkits.