Top Tips To Integrate Social Media Into Your Mobile Web Design
Chad Faith
Director of Content
Today, social media has become a popular platform for communication and socialization. It has given consumers and businesses across the globe plenty of opportunities to connect with each other. If this is the case, does it mean we should use more social media features in mobile web design? No, we are not referring to the standard social media elements like pinnable images, YouTube embeds, social feeds, social share icons, and social logins among others. The point is to draw inspiration from this new style of communication where visual storytelling and brevity rule. It is about adopting a social media-inspired web design that allows business owners to quickly communicate their messages across mobile screens. Below are some ways to get started:
Tell Individual Stories through Filters
Fortunately, social media platforms and smartphones have made it significantly easier to take photographs. Individuals can do it whenever they feel like it and wherever they are. There are also a wide range of tools that allow users to touch up their shots while on the go. Oftentimes, this is done via filters, which are built into apps. It goes without saying that filters are now a big part of what makes photo-sharing on social media so appealing to many users. With that in mind, business owners can consider using different filters in different contexts to turn product pages on their mobile websites into stories of their own.
Use a Memorable Lead Image
Not all posts in one’s social media feed are attached with galleries of images. Oftentimes, the posts are simple: a simple text message with a complementary image. It is important to note that social media feeds are filled with posts from the people we choose to connect with. That’s why businesses require a strong image that can stand out among the crowd. This concept applies well to the world of mobile website design. In addition to still images, one can also consider using GIF files. These files often fit within the space of a modern smartphone screen and are relevant to what online shoppers are looking for. GIFs offer a convenient way to learn about one’s promotion before clicking through the ad to claim, for example, a discount offer.
Include Trust Marks into the Mobile Design
A majority of modern social media platforms give public figures and brands the ability to verify their identity. This helps prevent users from following fake/spam accounts. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter utilize tiny symbols called trust marks (a small blue checkmark). It is often seen next to the person’s or brand’s username. The main takeaway is that business owners can leverage these marks to reinforce trust throughout the entire purchasing process and experience. Trust marks should be used to let visitors know that one’s site is safe enough to engage with from the get-go.
Incorporate Handles and Hashtags
A hashtag is “#”. A handle (a nickname or name for a social media account) is “@”. Did you know that these symbols offer a quick way to get one’s messages in front of target users? Yes, it is a good idea to use them if there is too much noise on social media. For example, you could leave a message on Instagram saying that your company deals with #diamondrings. Users who follow that hashtag will instantly see your post once it has been successfully published. Handles and hashtags have become such an innate part of how individuals and businesses communicate online. It would be a waste if they are underutilized.