| We've been using desktop PCs to access the web | | | | everyone. |
| for years now and so we kind of expect people to | | | | But is this the end of the issue? Can we rest |
| be able to view our sites in a fairly standard size and | | | | knowing our pages can be viewed or is there more |
| shape. For an awkward few years in the mid-2000s | | | | to it than that? |
| we were told that we should optimise for laptops | | | | Well yes, there is more to it because new devices |
| and their ever bizarre screen resolutions but we | | | | now have new interfaces and we're being asked to |
| managed to sidestep that issue by ignoring it. Luckily | | | | ditch the mouse and keyboard and feel our way |
| the laptops got better and the screens got bigger | | | | around the screen by simply touching it. Once only |
| and these days we can get a screen on our laps that | | | | found in science fiction movies, the tactile touch |
| is almost as big as the ones we had on our desks. | | | | screen is now a common sight and some of the |
| A quick look at Google Analytics tells me that one of | | | | latest technology relies on it for even the most |
| our most popular sites is accessed by people with | | | | mundane usage. |
| resolutions of no less than 1024x900 which is quite a | | | | So, there is a new age upon us and it means more |
| change from a few years ago, but a welcome one. | | | | work for companies, more for web design agencies |
| This all seems good news for the web developer but | | | | and even more for the Internet marketers amongst |
| there's a new game in town and that is the mobile | | | | us. You see it's not just how we interface with these |
| web. Again, most people avoided creating separate | | | | new devices but how and why we use them too. |
| web pages for those using small screen mobile | | | | When we pick up a smartphone or iPad variant to |
| phones (and again, we just ignored them) but | | | | surf, we're probably not casually flipping from one |
| smartphones are now the norm and they have | | | | site to another, but instead looking for something |
| different demands. Yes, they can view full screen but | | | | very specific - probably something based on our |
| have you tried it? The resolution may be good but | | | | location or particular situation. |
| they're almost impossible to read without zooming in | | | | If we're using our mobile web browser then it could |
| or squinting. | | | | be that we need something specific and therefore |
| So for those looking to write for the mobile web | | | | need it quickly - searching and sifting through data |
| properly they have to design with this in mind and it | | | | isn't what these things were designed for and so we |
| doesn't end at smartphones. | | | | have a new type of software on the rise - the 'app'. |
| The web is going everywhere and now we have the | | | | Apps (let's face it, just the shortened version of |
| iPad making its debut soon and there have already | | | | 'application') is a small piece of software designed for |
| been announcements of a slew of other systems | | | | the smaller screen and usually with quite a specific |
| looking to ride the wave of the new 'tablet PC' | | | | purpose. For example, there are apps that will find |
| popularity. | | | | you the nearest supermarket or cash point. Essential |
| Again, these larger format screens will be able to | | | | stuff. |
| handle standard websites out the box, but Apple has | | | | This is quite a change in tack for both users and |
| already said they will never support Flash. So, at the | | | | developers because for years we've been moving |
| very least, if you have a Flash site then you're going | | | | people away from applications that run on your |
| to have to consider changing it or at least offering an | | | | device and more towards 'cloud' computing where |
| alternative. | | | | the application sits on a server and you use it when |
| All this simply adds to the marketing budget of | | | | you need it. It appears we're going back in time. |
| organisations whilst filling the pockets of web design | | | | So, the warning here for web developers is to be |
| agencies that are looking to 'help' you compete, but | | | | wary when designing your sites and now more than |
| there is another way. | | | | ever, consider who is going to be using it. If you're |
| Although it's been around for years, CSS is still | | | | going to be providing information that could be used |
| something many small companies see as alien | | | | 'on the road' then consider quick access and low |
| technology. By using CSS, however, your website | | | | graphical weight and above all, make it easy to use; |
| should be viewable by anyone, regardless of the | | | | when you're navigating with your thumb, a fiddly |
| type of browser or size of screen. If designed | | | | menu is the last thing you need to be playing with. |
| correctly, your website should be perfectly good for | | | | |