Mobile Web Design For Dummies [Paperback]

Janine Warner (Author), David LaFontaine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0470560967 | ISBN-13: 978-0470560969 | Edition: 1

The perfect place to learn how to design Web sites for mobile devices!

With the popularity of Internet access via cell phones and other mobile devices, Web designers now have to consider as many as eight operating systems, several browsers, and a slew of new devices as they plan a new site, a new interface, or a new sub-site. This easy-to-follow friendly book guides you through this brave new world with a clear look at the fundamentals and offers practical techniques and tricks you may not have considered.

• Explores all issues to consider in planning a mobile site
• Covers the tools needed for mobile design, in particular XHTML and CSS
• Shows you how to plan for multimedia, e-commerce, and marketing your site, including adding audio, video, and social networking
• Provides real-world examples and tips to help you avoid common pitfalls

If you're contemplating Web design in a mobile world, start first with this practical guide.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Let's go mobile! Here's how to make a big impression on the small screen

These days everyone's on the go, and Web sites that are easy to navigate on your computer screen may be frustrating and inconvenient on your mobile phone. This book is all about fixing that problem! Learn what makes a great mobile Web page, the technologies that help you get around the limitations, and how to pack a punch on the small screen.

• Small space, big challenge — examine what makes mobile a different creature and the specific design challenges involved

• Being flexible — learn to adapt your existing site for mobile display

• Tools of the trade — discover the best markup language for your audience: WML, XHTML MP, or HTML5

• Maximize mobile features — take advantage of special features on the iPhone®, Android, and BlackBerry® Storm

• Testing, testing — discover how to test your mobile designs with online emulators

• Get around the limitations — find out how to add audio and video and optimize images for the small screen

• Spread the word — explore marketing options to get the word out about your mobile site

• M-commerce excitement — add a mobile-friendly shopping cart to your site

Open the book and find:

• The unique challenges of a mobile site

• How smartphones, touchscreen phones, and feature phones differ

• Tips for adapting an existing site to mobile

• Points to consider when designing for the small screen

• What WAP, WML, XHTML MP and HTML5 are — and how to use them

• Ways to make multimedia work on a mobile device

• How to use a mobile emulator

• Interviews with top mobile experts

Learn to:

• Plan an effective mobile Web site

• Create your design with XHTML MP and CSS2 or HTML5 and CSS3

• Add audio, video, social media, and m-commerce functions

• Build a site that works well on all mobile devices

About the Author

Janine Warner is the bestselling author of 12 books on the Internet and design, including all editions of Dreamweaver For Dummies.

David LaFontaine has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist, editor, and multimedia producer working on film, television, print, radio, and Internet projects.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470560967
• ISBN-13: 978-0470560969
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Mobile Web Design September 20, 2010

By W. Brantley

Format:Paperback

This is a great introduction to designing web pages for mobile phones because it covers the basic knowledge one needs to understand the design challenges posed by mobile phones. It does require a basic understanding of XHTML, CSS, and a little Javascript to work the examples in the book but the information is great and the examples are thorough and clear.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mobile Web Design For Dummies November 12, 2010

By Wayne Wicklund

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a must read for anyone who builds web sites and needs to learn about designing a mobile site.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Helpful September 25, 2010

By Angie

Format:Paperback

The book is great!! The authors explain a potentially complicated subject in such a way that even a relative technology notice like myself understood it. This is the first "for dummies" book I've purchased, but I'm tempted to stock up now.

On a side note, I was also surprised and pleased to see that they prominently mentioned the mobile website of indie songwriter Tori Sparks. My husband and I have been a big fan of hers for years.