Mobile phones, PDAs and a variety of other mobile devices are now able to access the internet around the world. The internet is no longer the preserve of people with computers – it is now a mobile phenomenon.

Though they fall short of traditional computers in what they are able to display, they are powerful tools, and will continue to evolve.

Just a quick look at the differences in screen sizes will tell you a lot.

Mobile devices do not display websites in the same way that computers do.

Yes, there are a few devices out there that have the capability of displaying all of the content of a web page, but these devices are very expensive and usually require the presence of a WiFi hotspot.

Displaying abbreviated versions of website pages will continue though until such time as these become more widely used.

When using a PDA to upload a website, its obvious that the display is geared to show text which is easy and fast to download.

So, given these facts, don’t you think that its a good idea to cater to these types of internet users? Of course you do!

When you are designing a website, you need to take into account how people will view the site. Simply by choosing a quality web design program, it becomes possible to create a mobile version of your website, with literally several clicks of the mouse.

Once this new website is created, it can be embedded with a few lines of code that will automatically make this the default site for people using mobile devices.

Instead of dealing with creating a new domain name or setting up mirror versions of the site that are to be used by mobile devices, your website will be able to automatically redirect a visitor to a page that is ideally suited for them.

This may not seem like a big deal, and its true that mobile device users are a relatively small portion of internet users, but when it comes to making your business profitable, it pays (quite literally) to reach the widest possible audience.

Transitioning to this technology can be a real pain, but if you invest in the best web design programs, you’ll find the transition as easy as clicking the mouse a couple times.

Want to learn how make your WordPress blog mobile ready? why would you want to make your WordPress mobile ready? these are two very good questions, and I can give you two good reasons.

1.Google now sends out mobile bots as well as regular bots out to scan websites now, which means that if your site already has good SEO optimization you can start to dominate mobile traffic for your chosen keywords as well.

2. Mobile marketing is still in it infant stages, so for you pay for click marketing gurus out there this means very little competition and very low bid prices on your keywords.

Recently-acquired Gomez (congrats people) performed a report that uncovered most people are irritated with the mobile internet. Two-thirds of people report difficulties accessing internet sites and everyone concurs that the experience is just too slow. There’s huge upside right here for those who know how to create a mobile web page. Hardly anyone is doing it well and a half decent job is now a competitive differentiator.

There are 5 times MORE people who own a mobile device (cell phone) than people who own a home computer! in fact, over 5 Billion people own one of many mobile devices! That’s nearly 75% of the ENTIRE PLANET! With that said, where could you be making money? Online only or mobile? The answer is BOTH!

Lets get back on topic, so if you want to make your WordPress site mobile ready, here is what I did for my WordPress site. First, go to Google and do a search for the term mobile edition plugin, it should be the very first result Google returns.

Download the plugin and save it to the place on your computer that you like download stuff to. Now for the hard part, the file is in zip format so you have to unzip the file into a folder you choose and upload the files to your server through your ftp client, the wp-mobile.php file goes into your plugins folder and the carrington-mobile-1.0.2 folder you upload to your themes folder. Then you can activate the plugin.

That’s it, your WordPress site is now mobile ready.

The rampant popularity of smart phones has no doubt increased the popularity of the web for seeking and obtaining information as well as web traffic to well-marketed websites, but it has also raised the stakes in the business of website design. No longer is it enough to have a website that simply functions on both Mac and PC platforms. Websites must now be prepared to display correctly across a variety of mobile devices such as iPhones, Blackberry’s and other competing smartphones and broadband instruments. So what are the best approaches to ensure your website design is compatible with mobile platforms?

Simplicity: When planning a mobile website design, the number one tactic is to keep it simple. The smaller screens characteristic of mobile devices means that simplicity is becoming a top priority of web designers everywhere. Mobile websites should favour brief text in a clear font, on a plainly colored background to maintain an easily navigated site on a small screen. That’s not to say that mobile websites should only use black and white, but color schemes should certainly be limited to no more than two or three colors. This is not only a suggestion for mobile website design, but a good rule to follow for any website.

Navigation: Methods of navigation are another critical consideration in mobile website design because the majority of smartphones are exclusively touch screen devices. Mobile websites must move away from mouse-based navigation systems to utilise more fingertip-friendly tools such as drop down menus and quick links. Adequate spacing must also be provided between links on a page to ensure that they can easily be individually targeted with fingertips of varying sizes.

Minimalism: The minimalist approach to website design is a valuable one for anyone preparing a mobile website. Single-page website layouts are a good way to go because they tend to remove all excessive information and applications, leaving only the information that is completely essential. Minimalist single-page websites enable site visitors to quickly view everything available on the page before they have to click to open links to any more detailed information pages.

Testing: Finally, cross browser testing is a process not to forget when carrying out website design for mobile devices. Today, web designers need not only consider compatibility with desktop and lap top computers, but also must ensure that websites display correctly across the full range of smart phones, iPads, BlackBerry’s, tablets and other mobile broadband devices which are constantly changing. For this reason, cross browser testing for functionality across a range of various display options is an essential part of mobile website design.

The mobile website design is the most promising platform for several consumer driven companies. The number of mobile phone users in the world is more than 2.4 billion and out of that nearly 30% of users surf the internet on a regular basis. This is the primary reason for the increasing popularity of mobile web development in fact, many people predicts that the internet browsing will be leap over the usage of the internet browsing on the desktop. A large number of WAP mobile users browse the internet on mobiles but are often faced with the difficulty of improper display and loading of the website.

A mobile website involves special designing and development procedures. Here are some of the points that you need to bear in mind while making mobile web site.

The most primary requirement that one needs to understand is that the web browsing on the computer and the mobile phone have huge difference. Therefore, you need to design a special website so that your customers can have a better accessibility of your website on the mobile phone. For this websites must be set on W3C.

One of the things to avoid for making good mobile website design is to not use tables in the layout as this will not look good on the mobiles. CSS gives maximum compatibility there the mobile web site made on CSS layout is better.

A mobile website can be made better with the usage of XML or XHTML coding and the character encoding set being UTF-8.

Always take into consideration that the mobile phones are available in different sizes with various sizes of screens as well. Make sure that your design is such that it works on most of the screen sizes.

The maximum size of mobile website page is 20 kilobytes and therefore it is better to fit all the content including pictures in that size. This also makes it a challenge for you to include all the important information about your business and products is presented on top the page itself.

Most of all, take care that you design your website such that it is worth the money that the mobile users are spending for surfing your website.

Building a mobile website can be an added benefit for your customers. A mobile website version can help potential customers find the information they need as quick as possible without cluttering the smaller display on most smart phones and tablets. But how much will it cost and how do you go about it? There are two main ways to go about this – using a CMS plug in or building a dedicated mobile site.

Whichever method you use it is important to keep the following items in mind about the mobile site

1) Do not aim to have all the information from your main site in it.

2) Should have a link to your full featured site as an option.

3) Make users aware they are using the mobile web version.

4) Keep it simple to access important details such as contact details.

5) Make use of handy links for phone numbers & emails etc so users can simply click to contact.

6) Support all major smart phones and tablets.

7) Don’t get too fancy with music, graphics etc.

Excellent usability and functionality are key.

The mobile website design is the most promising platform for several consumer driven companies. The number of mobile phone users in the world is more than 2.4 billion and out of that nearly 30% of users surf the internet on a regular basis. This is the primary reason for the increasing popularity of mobile web development in fact, many people predicts that the internet browsing will be leap over the usage of the internet browsing on the desktop. A large number of WAP mobile users browse the internet on mobiles but are often faced with the difficulty of improper display and loading of the website.

A mobile website involves special designing and development procedures. Here are some of the points that you need to bear in mind while making mobile web site.

The most primary requirement that one needs to understand is that the web browsing on the computer and the mobile phone have huge difference. Therefore, you need to design a special website so that your customers can have a better accessibility of your website on the mobile phone. For this websites must be set on W3C.

One of the things to avoid for making good mobile website design is to not use tables in the layout as this will not look good on the mobiles. CSS gives maximum compatibility there the mobile web site made on CSS layout is better.

A mobile website can be made better with the usage of XML or XHTML coding and the character encoding set being UTF-8.

Always take into consideration that the mobile phones are available in different sizes with various sizes of screens as well. Make sure that your design is such that it works on most of the screen sizes.

The maximum size of mobile website page is 20 kilobytes and therefore it is better to fit all the content including pictures in that size. This also makes it a challenge for you to include all the important information about your business and products is presented on top the page itself.

Most of all, take care that you design your website such that it is worth the money that the mobile users are spending for surfing your website.

The popularity of smartphones and the ease with which mobile applications can be developed have contributed to a glut of mobile development, mobile apps, and specialized websites that have been optimized for the mobile platform. Any company doing a serious amount of business needs to create a mobile version of its website to capture the mobile customer and this requires attention to a new model of design.

A Few Tips
First of all, the W3C has created a set of accessibility design guidelines for mobile handsets and following those guidelines will put you in good form. Keep in mind that you are dealing with a small amount of screen real estate, so what looks good on a full-size screen may be completely useless on a mobile platform. Tables are probably not going to appear right, you will need to use CSS in your layout, and XML or XHTML will ensure better character encoding. Avoid JavaScript and Flash, as some mobile platforms do not support it. And finally, remember that a mobile page should be no more than 20Kb.

User Interface
Your user interface will need to take the mobile display into account. While in a standard website, you may incorporate simple text boxes for users to enter information, this is more difficult for users of smartphones. Make more use of drop-down boxes, lists and radio buttons for gathering information. Pop-ups should not be used on a mobile platform-there’s just not enough room for them. By the same token, avoid a navigation that opens up a new window if at all possible.

Simple Design
A standard website very seldom translates well to the mobile platform. The mobile version of your website needs to be much simpler than your main website-your menu structure may need to be redone completely, and you may need to eliminate many of the graphics that your main site contains. However, depending on the mobile device being used, the visitor may prefer to see your standard site, so give them the option if their smartphone can accommodate it. Provide an easy and readily-accessible toggle switch so visitors can select the version they prefer.

Make it Easy to Navigate
It’s quite common to include links directly from text, but it’s difficult to click on a single keyword to navigate on a smartphone. Make your navigation links easier to get to with larger buttons.

Not All Smartphones are Created Equal
It’s nearly impossible to create a universal mobile website that can be read on any mobile platform. Mobile browsers don’t support the same properties and HTML elements, and your markup may appear very different depending on the mobile browser or platform. Also, smartphones may have differently sized screens, and some of them (such as the iPhone) switch between horizontal and vertical. This switching makes browsing easy for users, but it means you can’t used a fixed width-go with a percentage instead.

Consider a Professional Mobile Website Designer
Having a mobile version of your website can pay off big in increased traffic and sales, but you need to make that mobile site professional, attractive, and easy to navigate. If you’re not well acquainted with mobile development, consider using the services of a web designer which specializes in mobile platforms.

With mobile phones ringing in almost every pocket, the need for making mobile websites has greatly increased. Every other business is in the race, to target additional pockets, and if the pockets are in the “highly-interactive, quick-to-respond mobile space” it’s all the more better. There is a vast difference between the normal websites you surf on your PC and mobile websites. Due to the limitation of the screen size, mobile websites are more streamlined as compared to the computer based ones. Mobile website designing also requires certain rules and regulations to be followed so that the user experience is extremely easy, fast and friendly.

User Friendliness – User is God, and if the user is not happy, he will not come back to your website. So while making mobile websites, it is very important that the site is completely user friendly, specifically from the navigation point of view. Always apply the KISS strategy – keep it simple and short. Navigation should not be a part of every page. The link to the previous page and the homepage should be provided either at the top or the bottom of the page.

Instant Information – The information needed by the user should be available as fast as possible without the user having to go through many different pages or a number of clicks.This is an important consideration and must be kept in mind while making mobile websites. The quicker the user can get his information, the better it is.

Highlight Important Subjects – Due to small screen and font sizes, it is very difficult for the user to identify the curser region of the button. While making mobile websites, it is very important that the information and items are brought into light either by changing the color or the background or by using different fonts -this improves readability and easily catches eyeballs.

Minimum User Input – We all know how tedious it can be to type a SMS text message on the mobile phone. So, while website making on mobile it is very important that entering the text is not cumbersome for the user. In fact, it would be much easier if options were provided and the users were to select from the options. Even if he is required to enter text it has to be made as simple and hassle free as possible.

Showcase The Most Desirable Items – Making mobile website is all about Space Management. Give your audience only what they desire. The content/services/products have to be placed on the website in such a way that all the important content is easily viewed and does not get lost;or the user does not have to scroll too much or click through too many times. Not only is this a waste of time for the users but also a waste of their money as they are never willing to download things they don’t need.

While website making on mobile integrating the above points in your website would enhance its look and feel and will make it user friendly and functional.

Mobile web technology – it’s probably something you hear about all the time, but do you really know what it means? And, do you know how to use it to get the most out of your business’ online presence?
With mobile web technology, you get to target the more than 1 billion people worldwide who have cell phones or other mobile devices with an internet connection. Instead of letting those mobile users surf your traditional website, you can use mobile web technology to create a site that’s specifically created for them – with a design that’s more compatible with small screens, and a layout that offers easy-access information for people on the go.

So, now that you know the basics about mobile websites, what exactly can they do for you? When it comes to using mobile web technology for your business, there are 5 things you need to know:

1. Mobile web technology is growing faster than PC-based internet ever has.
New phones and mobile devices are constantly being introduced, and it seems like the entire world cannot get enough mobile technology. According to studies, there are nearly as many mobile devices as there are PC’s around the world. That’s an amazing statistic, when you consider that PC’s have been on the market for far longer!

2. Mobile web services, like click-to-call and click-to-map, are resulting in higher sales conversions.
With a mobile website, all you have to do is click on the phone number on the screen, and it automatically dials for you. Or, click on the address, and immediately see a map of the business’ location. Mobile services are making it easier than ever for people to contact or visit retail locations. And, experts say that using a mobile device to search for a business’ location is one of the biggest reasons that people use them.

3. Mobile web technology sets your business ahead of the pack.
While it seems like people are using the internet anywhere and everywhere, offering mobile websites is still a new idea for many businesses. By taking advantage of this new technology, you can send a message to visitors that you’re on the cutting edge. Effectively targeting mobile users can instantly make you a leader in your industry or region.

4. Mobile web technology makes it easy to shop online – from anywhere.
Some of the internet’s biggest players – like PayPal, Amazon, and Google Checkout – all have mobile versions for their retailers. That means you don’t have to worry about finding a separate payment processor for your mobile website.

5. Mobile websites are designed a little differently.
If you do plan on going mobile, there are several design issues that you need to be aware of. Websites are totally different on tiny screens. The state-of-the-art flashy website you have may look great on a 17-inch computer monitor – but it will not transfer well onto a mobile device. If you really want to make the most out of mobile web technology, you have to design your site for mobile users. That means making your site load quickly, with a font that looks good on smaller screens, and getting rid of the Flash and Javascript that can’t be read by most mobile devices. If your mobile site is too difficult to use, users will just leave and find a different site that meets their needs.

Cell phones have all but replaced landlines, and while they’re not likely to replace the desk top computer completely, (at least any time soon) hand held and smaller devices are likely to replace many personal computers as they become more user friendly. As an Internet marketer your job is to stay on top of your market, keep asking, keep testing, and find out if you need a more mobile friendly website now before you’re left behind.

Some things to remember about mobile content marketing is that as of today, mobile phones are not computers, at least yet. There are some limitations such as:

Screen size — They’re small. Very small. While they are getting bigger in terms of what cell phones used to have for screen sizes, compared to our giant monitors on computers they’re tiny. This is something that must be taken into consideration when developing content for a mobile device.

Input method — No matter how great we think we are at text messaging, punching in text and navigating menus on a cell, never mind a website, is a lot harder on a cell phone. Make navigation as simple as possible.

Multiple Platforms — Unlike with the Internet which tries to have some standards in terms of languages and coding, there still aren’t any standards for mobile devices. The types of mobile content that your visitors can see and interact with is limited by the type of cell phone or mobile device that your potential client uses.

Your first step is to narrow down your choices of which platform to consider by surveying your site visitors to find out what most of them use. Then focus your mobile content efforts on that device or find out which platforms hold the most market share now. You can bet that is probably the iPhone and the Android and focus on delivering content to that device.