Designing for multiple platforms has been an ever throbbing pain in the side of web developers.   Unfortunately if you want to reach the broadest audience this is exactly what needs to be done.  This includes being conscious of the mobile user.   Maybe the budget your manager gave you for web development doesn’t allow for a separate dedicated mobile design.  If that is the case there are a few things one must consider when developing their online presence.

Screen Size

Designing for different screen resolutions is not anything new.  However the mobile world throws a few more logs into the proverbial fire.  Fortunately you can, for the most part, get away with a stock screen resolution of 480×320 pixels without alienating much of your user base.

Different Browsers

With so many different service providers and phone manufacturers it remains necessary to be conscious of the vast amounts of different browsers.  There are five major browsers that must be considered.  Opera has been the leader in terms of users however iphone, Nokia, Android and Blackberry no longer lag too far behind.  Optimizing your site for each and every mobile browser is most likely out of touch.  This is where knowing your audience comes in handy.  If your target group of users tend to lean towards business people it is probably a good idea to design your site with blackberry users in mind.  If your target group likes to hang out in coffee shops the iphone is where to be.

Spacing

Ever try to navigate a website on your phone that is not optimized for the mobile community?  It’s a hassle at best.  No one likes hitting the wrong link.  This creates frustration and can often turn into loss of interest, which means less money in your pocket.  Make sure to make your text large and your buttons larger.

Incorporate Social Media

Incorporating social media should be a no-brainer.  In today’s world people are connected more than ever.  It only takes a slit millisecond to tweet out the latest product to all of your friends.  This is guerilla marketing at its best.  Make sure to have the big ones.  Twitter, Facebook, Google+, digg etc.

Stop Using Flash! (also java)

I repeat.  Stop using flash!  Not only is flash an immense system hog but it is also incompatible with many of the mobile browsers and most of apple products in general.  Using flash on your website is the quickest way to segregate your would-be audience.

If you follow these guidelines you should have no probable reaching your viewers on the mobile information highway.