By Charles Mburugu

In recent years, people have increasingly shifted from using computers to accessing the internet from their mobile devices. Therefore it’s essential for every blogger, webmaster and business owner to have a mobile-friendly website.

Here are some of the major blunders you need to avoid when designing your mobile site.

1. Failing to optimize images

Images are a very important element for any mobile website design. However, using images or elements that have large file sizes will significantly slow down the loading speed of your pages. When your pages take too long to load, visitors will simply click away and go elsewhere. This is why it is very important to optimize the images on your site. Preferably, only use images and elements which are small in size.

2. Not considering screen sizes

Compared to desktop and laptop monitors, the screens of mobile devices are relatively small. Therefore, when designing your mobile site, you need to take into account screen width and size. Your design should be able to fit well in different screen sizes with all page elements displaying correctly. Make sure your buttons and icons are large enough for users to tap with their finger. Don’t forget to have enough space between your links and buttons.

3. Excess content

Content is what drives visitors to your site and keeps them coming back. Make sure your content is arranged in a way which is pleasant to the eye and easy to read. Avoid having excessively lengthy posts on your mobile site. If you would like to share a lot of information, you could break it down into short sections with a ‘read more’ link at the end of each section. Make sure the text is spaced out and large enough for mobile users to read without straining their eyes. In addition, use a background color which contrasts sufficiently with your text.

4. Not having collapsible navigation

Most mobile users are very impatient people who access the internet while on the go. Therefore, your mobile site should be designed in a way that allows visitors to find what they are looking for as fast as possible. One of the best ways of presenting content on your site is through using collapsible categories. This allows you to keep the pages of your site clean and neat, thus ensuring that visitors can find information on your site easily.

5. Having long input forms

Typing on the keyboard of a smartphone is not as easy as typing on a computer keyboard. With this consideration, it would be advisable to keep the forms on your mobile site as short as possible. Users should only be required to complete the few fields that are critical. Alternatively, you could consider providing a multiple choice option with check boxes, radio buttons or combo boxes. This will save your visitors the trouble of having to type their entries.

6. Not testing your design

Once your design is complete, you need to test it using different kinds of mobile devices. This will enable you to identify any concerns with regard to your site’s feel, content and usability. You can also get useful feedback by sharing the design with your friends and business associates. Take time to tweak your site until it works well on as many mobile devices as possible.