Mobile Website Design. And why they are doing it wrong.

Okay, okay… I know this may seem off topic, but hear me out.

Web design is kinda my thing; its a moderate chunk of what I do.  I have even built rather successful mobile sites for big players in Australia and the UK, and I learned how to do it the same way anyone learns anything: the internet.

So, here is a summary of how to build a successful mobile based of another already popular site properly:

1. Take a successful site people want to read the content from. This is key. Then, take a look at the content.
2. Reformat this content, but keep it in full where you can. Some images may need to be smaller, videos in different / smaller formats, etc… But all the content. This is key.
3. Read steps one and two over and over again until you know them by heart. Then read it again, to be sure.

So, where am I going with this? I read Matty’s post on Army of Two on my iPhone, as I was away from my computer.

The site includes the usual set of rules and regulations: the weapon must be at least feasible to the current era, be able to be implemented into the game and not include any trademark material.

So I click the link.

Oh, EA. How could you?

Electronic Arts, in their infinite wisdom, do not display unto me the content I seek. Nay, they open the iPhone App Store and try to peddle their mobile games to me.

Yeah, how rude of me, I’m sure you’re thinking. How dare I be slightly upset when I cannot view the content I want, but instead get redirected off to some bollocksy shop.

EA. Having a link offering to take users to your store is fine. In fact, it’s good for everyone. Your users feel like you offer more choice and selection. But don’t assume that they don’t want what they are looking for. Never, ever, take advantage of their trust.