Although widgets are built from the same technology that you use to build websites, you need to remember that they’re used on a mobile device that has certain limitations and difficulties. Make sure to keep the following in mind when designing and building your widget:
- Provide a loading screen if necessary
- Clearly state the purpose and benefit of the widget on the first screen
- Keep the widget very simple. If it has more than one major function (ie Weather and Sports updates), it’s best to break it up into separate widgets
- Ensure your widget copes gracefully with interrupted/patchy network availability
- Remember that it’s difficult to use the ‘joystick’ to navigate the small mouse cursor. Keep this to a minimum if possible
- Avoid small or unusual fonts as they are likely to impair reading. If possible, allow the user to re-size the text for easier reading
- The hit areas for icons can be larger than the target size. This will help users click them easier.
Vodafone has written a really useful usability guide for designing and building widgets which is worth downloading.
