1-2-3 Mobile Website Guide

Some business owners are just now figuring out how to get their full-size Web sites to do what they want. Now this?  Don't worry.  Making your site mobile-friendly isn't as difficult as you may think. Below are three steps to get you started pleasing the mobile masses.

Step One: Getting Started

Mobile Websites aren't super expensive, separate entities from your existing Web site.  Chances are that your current site is being viewed on mobile devices already. However, it may not be displaying correctly. 

To begin understanding this process, you need to start by seeing how many people may already be coming from mobile devices to your site.  Take a look at your website's statistics software (IE: Google Analytics).  There should be a way to decipher your site's traffic sources, some of them being mobile devices such as iPhone, Blackberry, Palm, etc. 

You should get an idea of how many people are currently trying to visit your site this way and how many are bouncing.  If your bounce rate is high from these devices, chances are your site isn't very mobile-friendly.

Most reputable Web design firms can easily help you take advantage of this rapidly growing portion of the Internet market. Jump in now before your competitors do. Mobile websites will soon be a "must have" item as iPhones and other Web-enabled devices rapidly permeate the business world.

Just as checking your website across the most popular browsers is something a competent web developer will do, it is important to view your site on a variety of mobile devices. Take a look at your site on yours and your friends' mobile devices (smart phones, etc.).  Checking the site out on a few different phones will let you know what problems need to be addressed to make it more easily viewable.

If it is hard to read, jumbled, and non-functional you will need to consult with a professional on how to make the site more mobile-friendly.  Take into consideration the items within your site that people would want to find on a mobile platform.

Step Two: What to Offer?

Think about the type of content people want when they're on the go.  What parts of your site make mobile sense?  Directions, locations, portfolios, testimonials, events, Twitter updates, blog articles, menus, product reviews...

Of course, informational content is also great for mobile use.  When thinking about how to structure your mobile Web site, make sure to incorporate these items and cut back on all the in-depth content that someone may be more interested in looking at when on a larger computer.  Now, you can work with a developer or a mobile website builder on what to offer in your mobile version. 

Step Three: Now What?

The next step is to find someone who can help your tweak your site's files for mobile devices, create a mobile home page, a mobile domain name, etc.

Some sites you may want check out:

• http://mobify.me/

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Web

• http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/13/mobile-web-design-trends-2009/

If you are a busiiness owner and don't know where to start, there are many good Web design firms that are qualified to help you, but choose carefully and make sure they understand the challenges of developing for mobile devices. 

A Web development professional can help you identify your mobile site needs.  Many firms will offer free advice to help you get started. Shop around and make sure you select a firm that understands the challenges of mobile website design.