On October 5, 2011, the world lost one of its most brilliant minds. Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, Inc, died at only 56 years of age from a battle with cancer. But what did Steve teach the web designers and developers of the world? By creating some of the most popular items available today, including the iPhone and the iPad, he changed the face of web development as we know it. With other companies following suit-creating smart phones that mimic the style of the iPhone, as well as ‘Pad’ devices to browse the web-web designers are forced to think creatively about how to get websites working for these devices.

Is your website compatible with today’s new technology? The following facts about website compatibility with touch-screen devices and smartphones will help you be able to tell if your website is ready:

1. Flash is no longer recommended.
What is ‘flash’? Flash is a program originally created by Macromedia, but later purchased by Adobe Systems, Inc. Adobe Flash is a very popular software that is used today to create online advertisements, interactive websites, and online games. It also has other offline features, such as loadable CD-ROM introductions, animations and more. But why is Flash no longer recommended for websites? Simple: the iPhone and the iPad do not support flash. Why? Unfortunately, the answer to this is still unclear.

2. Some web applications may not work well.
Perhaps your website has a drop-down menu, or a pop-up window that helps your visitors navigate your site or communicate with you. But have you tried browsing your website on an iPhone, iPad, or other touch-screen device? You may come to find that these applications do not work well, or at all. If that is the case, getting a web developer to replace these with working applications for both web and touch-screen devices is recommended.

3. Your website’s appearance may change.
You love your website, and have spent hours of your time working with a web designer to get it just right. Most websites will appear similar to what you see on a computer screen when viewed on a smartphone, or other touch-screen device, but there are always exceptions. If your website appears cut off around the edges, the content doesn’t show, or you have Flash on your website that brings up an error message, you should consider getting your website re-coded to work on these devices.

Steve Jobs has revolutionized the way we look at the web. And Transmedia is fully aware of how to make websites work with the iPhone, iPad, and similar devices. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your website’s compatibility on smartphones and touch-screen devices.

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