It is a sure thing to say that there are more people who own cellphones and smart phones then there are those who own personal computers. Several reasons for this range from price points, convenience, usability and the simple need to communicate with someone for pleasure or emergency situations.

With the increase of UX knowledge workers, too much emphasis is being placed on designing web sites more then any other technology medium around. Although we have a lot of experts in the field of online design, the UX field is still lacking in the mobile sector. If someone calls themselves an information architect and usability specialist, but only focuses on one aspect of digital usability, then that person’s craft is warped- meaning that they might have a certain strength in one particular avenue of the field, but blaring weaknesses in another aspect of that same field.

Society is overwhelmed with the release of smart phones that do not provide a good user experience. Notice how most people who buy anything online from a smart phone are simply buying a gadget or product of some sort that only enhances the smart phone itself or provides convenience in a time of need.

If we as designers are going to bring more value to the craft of usability, then we must take mobile devices into strong consideration. Why do most people buy a product online with an actual computer then they do from a smart phone? There are many reasons for this, obviously people want to see bigger products online- not to mention filling out forms is a lot easier on a full QWERTY keyboard.
But what is important to understand is that there are still more people with mobile devices.

Now when I say mobile device, I also mean a simple flip phone. I understand that not everyone has an actual smart phone, but society is heading there fast. Imagine if people were easily able to order a box of fine wine or a surplus of uniforms or something along those lines from their mobile device?

Social Networking and the mobile presence are the driving kings of communications, convenience and commerce. Consider the fact that mobile devices are more likely to become the remote controls for an ever-expanding type of real-time cloud and location based services.

The case in point is that designers need to start considering and projecting the fact that the web sites they build need to be amalgamated with mobile GUIs to help increase value to the customers and increase business. There are several arguments that immediately arise from a proposal like this. But with the direction that society has taken from social media, usability, technology and convenience, people are going to want to do more on their mobile devices.
The possibilities are endless and the need is now.

Mobile leads the way.