Have you ever seen a computer mouse in a science fiction movie or television show? It seems all of our favorite futuristic television show and movies, digital screens have survived but today optical mouse has become extinct. Our fictional mouse-less future is becoming today’s reality. The days of pointing and clicking are numbered as finger tapping has evolved as the favorite human-to-computer interface method. There are dozens of touchscreen devices available and more on the horizon. Even laptops and desktops are featuring touchscreens now. Do you know if your website functions well on a desktop touch monitor, iPad, Nook or even a video game console? Is your website design touch screen compatible?
There are several mouse-based website features that behave differently in touchscreen environments:
Mouseover
Whether you call it mouseover, tool-tip or hover text, if there is no mouse, your desktop website mouseovers will not the same way on touchscreen devices. Are you hiding important information just waiting for your clients to hover their mouse pointer over a link or picture? Your Kansas City business may be missing the opportunity to present important information that could be invisible to many types of mobile device users.
Drop down menus
There are some really cool and innovative drop down design these days. Some drop down include mini-page and min-page format with images and logos. On desktop website, these are a great feature and enhance the usability of your website and improve the overall user experience.
Does your website’s drop down menus, however, work as desired on touchscreen devices? Even simple desktop address and purchase forms can be a hassle for user trying to connect with you on a mobile device. Many KC business owners do not realize that their website conversion rates may suffer do to these types of usability issues on mobile devices.
Right click
If click is gone, so is right click. There is no right tap on mobile devices. Most touchscreen devices have a long tap action, but is that giving the expected experiences on your website?
Don’t lose customers because they are frustrated at the lack of touchscreen functionality on your website. They will not remember to check your site again when they get to “a real computer.” By that point, they have probably already ordered from one of your competitors. If you want Caption Kirk, someone in the next state or just the guy next door to stay on your site long enough to see what you have to offer, make sure your site is tappable. There are many ways to optimize you website for mobile devices. In fact responsive website design (or RWD) solves many touchscreen issues. While RWD does not restore mouse over features on mobile screens, this form or web design automatically adjust website for the view screen.
For example, a drop down menu with a roll-over drop down could convert to a single drop down on smaller screens. Your RWD website would automatically detect the users screen size and typ (ie mobile device vs desktop). The “responsiveness” of RWD websites ensure that your visitors get the best possible experience on their device while ensure your SEO strategy maintains the highest possible conversion rates.
