Guidelines for developing websites for mobile devices

I found a great article today while scanning the web called 7 usability guidelines for websites on mobile devices. The article was written in 2007 but because the mobile web experience has been rather slow to get going it is only now very pertinent to those of us enjoying this booming industry.

Of course, there are those people who say that the advent of the iPhone and the rise of the so called Smart Phone has meant that we shouldn’t be focusing on custom sites for mobile; that the dotmobi rise wave has drifted into the shallows. But here in Africa where most people can’t afford something too fancy and expensive, the need to develop sites for the mobile phone is gaining momentum. Nokia still has the lion’s share of the market and their low to middle-end phones are very successful. On a continent were there is a huge discrepancy between the pc and mobile market and it is only the foolhardy who wouldn’t have at least some mobile strategy – even if it is, “we don’t want one”.

I would like add an 8th guidline to the 7 above:

Not all mobile browsers are the same. Anyone who  has developed a website for mobile will know that what looks great on a Nokia may look terrible on a Motorola. Develop and test for a multitude of browsers and handsets and if needs be, operators as well. Different operators may have different default settings that will interfere with the way your site appears.

Good luck

This user says “goodbye to Hotmail” http://foxyurl.com/n81 – adios

What has happened to Hotmail?

I’ve had many email accounts over the years – mainly for testing and comparison purposes; research et al. But Hotmail has always been my homebase. I’ve had my account for years, it’s where everyone I know has always been able to get in touch. I’ve moved jobs, countries and countless homes but that account has stood by me. Until recently.

Since I’ve started Backspace Consulting and been working from home I’ve had to rely completely on Hotmail for my email. And you know what, it really isn’t up to the job. Simple things like automatically saving to drafts is a feature it is sorely lacking. Blank white screens appear when I click “send”. Most of the time the service can’t even reach the server! I’ve had tens of emails just disappear from my sent mail folder and this is really not good enough even for casual emailing, never mind keeping in contact with business partners and potential clients.

Having recently worked on an upgrade to the webmail client of a South African ISP I can say with authority that I know it is no mean feat to get something that works and looks good at the same time. But if a little ISP at the tip of Africa can make something that works, and works well (though continuous improvement is my mantra), then how can Microsoft let this one go? They’ve handed the webmail market to GMail on a platter.

I, for one, like things that come on platters, so guess where I’ve gone to stay in touch with colleagues and friends? Do I even have to say it?

Best shopping sites

I recently ran a question on LinkedIn to ask people which websites they voted as the best for user experience. What came back was a lot of the usual suspects, Amazon, GMail, Google, but a few shopping sites came up too and I thought it best to share…

Yoox.com is a very stylish site, which suits its image as an apparel brand conscious service. It is not only easy to use with handy menu items and easily categorized clothing and accessories, it is, at the very least, sexy which goes to show that you can have your cake and eat it too. I have to thank my good friend Jen Smit for the heads up – this is going to be a firm favourite. Though, a word to all those on slow internet connections, you may battle with this rich site, but if you needed a reason to upgrade (and a little something from Armani), this is it.

Netaporter has been around for a while, and for good reason. Fashion aficionados have been using and raving about it for some time.  Like Yoox it is easily navigable and if you’ve got the kind of bank balance that I only dream of then go and pick up a pair of Lavins on sale.

Both these sites work on the idea that the easier and more pleasurable the online shopping experience is, the easier it is for shoppers to part with their cash.

My new favourites are the social shopping sites like Kaboodle where you can shop using recommendations from fellow shoppers. A great feature of this is setting up wish lists for you birthday so that friends and family know exactly what you’re hoping for without actually having to ask the tedious question. Of course, it requires you to have yet another online profile… For a list of social shopping sites try this bit from About.com.

Now if I could only learn to spell…