When the worldwide web came on stream in the mid-1990s, web designers dealt with two browsers: the then-popular Netscape and the up-and-coming Internet Explorer. The two had compatibility issues, but some deft coding could make websites viewable using either browser.
Then along came more browsers with names like Opera, Firefox, Safari and Chrome. Netscape almost disappeared and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer dominated. The new browsers posed few compatibility issues. They read the code basically the same ways
And then Apple introduced its iPhone in 2007 with its touch screen and internet connectivity. It changed everything. Competitors soon released rival products with their own operating system and browsers. Then in 2010 the iPad entered the market sparking the current rage for portable tablet devices.
The difference mobile devices introduced was the possibility of viewing web pages on-the-go in either a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) configuration. Before the iPhone, websites were viewed on a horizontal screen.
Not only did the way of viewing change, but the size of the viewing area shrank. The fine details of a standard website could easily become unreadable.
Where you used to click a link using a mouse, it became the tap of a fingertip – a less accurate pointing device (unless used giving directions to a lost tourist.) To complicate things further, none of the Apple mobile devices play Adobe Flash files.
The most popular browser in the world is now Android’s browser found on most smartphones. More than 100 million iPads using Safari are in the hands of users around the world. Mobile/Smartphone use in Canada is nearing 80% penetration—some 22.5 million people.
Here’s the key question: Is your website compatible with the new generation of browsers and viewers?
If you wonder how your website looks on major mobile browsers, here’s a website that can help you. It’s as simple as entering your website address and viewing the results. Should your site not load correctly on the mobile browsers, Adnams Group can help you.
Some companies and organizations have two websites, one for standard monitors and another for mobile devices. The website automatically senses the device you are viewing on and either sends you directly to, or gives you the option of viewing a site designed specifically for mobile devices.
You may think this isn’t really important because people using your website, usually supporters, don’t use mobile phones and tablets. And that may be true – today. But your future supporters and donors “live” on their mobile devices and the sooner they have access to your stories, the sooner they could become active supporters.
In the years I’ve been writing and presenting about being on line I’ve maintained that it’s easy to launch a website, but the work is keeping it current. That applies to both content and the invisible code that makes your website visible and easy to navigate.
Here are some examples and some interesting discussion:
11 Nonprofit Websites That Look Great on iPads « Nonprofit Tech 2.0 Blog :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits
http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/11-nonprofit-websites-that-look-great-on-ipads/