Mobile Experience: Dealing with Next Era ADD
Nielsen recently posted an article covering the how users access content on the web through their mobile devices. This featured article researched extensively on the habits of 151 subjects from all over the world. Beyond user testing, Nielsen also employed various research methods such as diary studies and expert reviews in order to test the viability of this research. Check out these things before you go about designing your website!
Portability
One of the biggest factors within the mobile realm is portability. The small screen estate allows for convenience and portability. But as study show, it is also a device that does not have high retention. Nielsen points out that portability also means more interruptions. On screens sizes such as phones, it requires about 5 times as much screen estate in order for a user to fully enjoy content that is meant to fit across one 30 inch monitor. So prioritizing content and feature is a must when dealing with the mobile experience.
This screen size also changes the attention span of users. In fact, Nielsen reported that the average time of a mobile session is roughly 72 seconds. However, because of the convenience of mobility, the user is more prone to interruptions by external events. As a result, mobile users are prone to fragmented attention and brief mobile device use. In other words, the web developer must design for interruptions.
The Simplicity Game
Content on the mobile platform must be short and concise, allowing users to know what they need as soon as possible. Front load all the essential information in as short of a time as possible and allow the users to make decisions based on the information available at first glance. The rest of the details can be read by users at a much later time.
Having a single three to five inch screen also means that the content needs to be self-sufficient. Anything mobile related should not have to jump between different apps or websites to complete a task on the mobile platform. It is imperative that the designer create as little stress on the user's cognitive load as possible.
Alright that's it for today.
Stay Classy.