Keep User Experience Consistent Across Desktop and Mobile Devices in Singapore

Though it is the mobile era, most of the business has an app format, web for PC terminal is still a necessary option for better user experience. The reasons are as follows.

Why we still need a web application?

1.Files Transfer

Files Transfer can be received and sent via mobile app, while we are accustomed to reviewing and editing them on desktop. Broad screen makes us operate these tasks more comfortable.

E.g. WeChat, you can use file transfer function to send files to your devices and friends easily.

2. Document Editing

Editing would be easier and faster in web. If you need to typing fast, open your computer and login the web terminal, then you can focus on your document and typing fast. Also, some report can be only exported via web.

E.g. Evernote, copywriting and inserting image would be easy to use on web.

3. Data presentation

App is would be lightweight only including the most important and frequently used functions. Others like complex and complete data analysis should be show on web.

E.g. Health app. It is designed and developed by USER for client. The layout are consistent.

Keep consistent across desktop and mobile

So consistency across all mediums is a branding strategy that should not be overlooked. Developing an understanding of a user’s mental model, that is, what a user will need to use during certain situations, be it mobile or desktop, will ensure a positive user experience through consistency.

1. Don’t Make Users Relearn the App.

The goal of any desktop or mobile application is to keep users engaged. In their initial onboarding experience users may go through some sort of tutorial or learn just by perusing. This is what motivates intuitive usability among similar platforms.

2. Define the Differences Between Desktop and Mobile

Identifying user tendencies, dislikes, backgrounds, and interests can be a great initiative for the design of a desktop or mobile solution because it helps in decision-making. Going one step further would be to develop an accurate understanding of the user’s mental model for each platform.

3. Don’t Confuse Your User

Let’s take a personal event management application called “Grey chat ”as example. This application has both a desktop and mobile version. The primary version is the mobile version which can save private images and records, chat, create events. It is UXintegration of PC, tablet and mobile, hardware, software and firmware. It is designed and developed by USER for client. USER is a company based in Singapore providing IT solutions and UX consulting. They have successfully development many cross-platform digital applications. It has a brand called Frontline, focusing on developing apps using cutting edge technologies.

For all intents and purposes the application tracks user data very well. In this aspect the mental model developed for the mobile user actually does have more features because it is designed as a mobile experience first. After all, users can’t really ride a bike with their desktop in their pockets! It goes as far as offering more in-depth data on their website, which is where an inconsistent design is apparent.

Consistency is a Priority During User Research.

In the user research phase of design and development, t is crucial that as a researcher you constantly evaluate if your mockups, wireframes, and prototypes look the same across different platforms.

This is particularly true if development is staggered and one platform comes before the other. It creates a sense of credibility and uniformity that can help integrate brand strategy into business-related measurables and decision-making. Uniform branding on applications makes the marketing aspect of a particular desktop or mobile app easier and more recognizable. All of this needs to be considered during the research phase.

In Conclusion

Incorporating design functions should have the intent of being seamless across channels. Considering the role of each function and its capacity to work well on different platforms means being able to do something on mobile and pick it up on desktop after, without any difficulty whatsoever.

What is User Experience