Page Footer

From MobileDesign

Example

A compact footer, including copyright information, that is easily differentiated from the main content (myflightinfo.mobi).

Code Snippets

• A list in WAP
• A list in J2ME

This pattern is adapted and updated from Martijn van Welie's UI patterns with permission.

When users get deeper into mobile web sites they also need to be able to go back to important locations such as the home page or category page. The homepage is practically always relevant but the other locations depend on the context of the page.

[edit] Design

Create a consistent set of links to be displayed at the bottom of each page. Consider including links to: * The site home page * Search * Home * Important locations

Unless you can support AJAX-like capabilities, the footer should be short, no more than approximately 5 links. Large footers will increase the load time of every page in your site.

[edit] Applicable Devices and Platforms

Web sites and other platforms where custom access to the softkey is not granted to each page or card.

[edit] When Used

Use on all pages in your site.

Don't place too many items in the footer, or they cannot all be seen at once. This makes it unclear the list is a footer, and makes it hard to scan available options.

[edit] Rationale

The footer is the place that is seen last when browsing a page. That is the moment when users have to decide what to do, if they haven't already done so. Home is an important element to have since it forms an always present link to a "safe location".