How To Make Your Website Tablet-Friendly
The tech world is always changing, and the recent introduction of tablet models (such as the iPad and the Blackberry Playbook) has forced companies to examine how their website looks on a tablet, whether it is designed effectively, and if the site will serve the needs of customers using this new form of online access. Here are a few things you should consider in order to ensure your website is tablet friendly.
Avoid Flash
Flash portal, an animated graphic that has been created by Adobe Flash technology, does not work on a tablet. Companies should be aware if their home page features flash portal; it will not work on tablets such as the iPad. Androids do support Flash, but the performance is very poor, so it is best if companies avoid Flash altogether. Options to substitute for Flash include HTML5 and JavaScript which both feature the same effects as Flash.
Avoid Drop-Down Menus
It is best to avoid drop-down menus on your website if you can. If you would like to keep your drop-down menus, ensure that there are visual cues (for example arrows) that show tablet users that the menu can be opened further and expanded. Instead of using drop-down menus, companies may want to consider creating a showcase page for the different sections of the site so that tablet users can easily navigate around the site and find all the available subpages.
Touch Interaction Versus Mouse Interaction
Due to the fact that tablet users are not clicking or scrolling a mouse, it is important that companies design buttons which are the size of a fingertip instead of cursor so that tablet users are able to travel around your website more efficiently. Users may become quickly frustrated if the links are placed too tightly together, so it is important that companies realize that the clicking and scrolling of a mouse is replaced by touching and swiping gestures on a tablet.
Colours, Textures and Typography
The format of colour and textures can have a significant impact on tablets. The use of bright background colours and patterns are effective as they will reduce the appearance of glares and smudges on an iPad or Blackberry Playbook. It is best to avoid the use of solid blacks, as it will be incredible distracting for tablet users. The font of your website must also be taken into consideration, as it cannot be too small or too big for tablet users. Finding an ideal balance of font size, line spacing, line length, background colours, and patterns will create a favourable webpage for tablet users, regardless of their chosen model.
Design Your Forms Accordingly
A lot of company websites require users to fill out some kind of form, sometimes as part of an email subscription, or when their submitting a request for more information. For this reason, it is important that companies look over their forms, and ensure that all of the fields are clearly indicated and easily accessible to tablet users. Make sure that your forms don’t have too many fields, as tablet users may get easily frustrated filing out a long form.
If after reading these tips on how to achieve a tablet-friendly website you are still unsure whether or not your website is tablet-friendly, the best way to see how your site performs is by testing it. As more and more consumers opt to join the tablet nation, it’s important to consider how your website design effects tablet navigation and usability. A few quick fixes could be all your site needs to provide a top notch user experience.
Do you have a tablet? What sort of issues do you encounter when surfing your favourite websites?
One thought on “How To Make Your Website Tablet-Friendly”
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Hello CIK Marketing,
Thanks for writing such a great article. I found it to be very informative, anyone designing an iPad site will certainly benefit reading your post.
I would also like to add a few pointers your followers may find helpful.
Its very important to consider what your website does in both landscape and portrait mode when viewed from an iPad. I personally believe a proper site should look good in modes instead of limiting your site to one or the other. Accommodating your audience will make them happy.
Feel free to check out our site that was designed for iPad. http://jamproa.com/portfolio.php
Keep up the GREAT work!
Mack Davidson
http://jamproa.com