How do you create content that works on any device?

1 Know your audience

The first step to create content that works on any device is to know your audience and their preferences. What devices do they use to access your content? What are their goals and pain points? How do they consume and interact with your content? You can use analytics tools, surveys, feedback forms, and user testing to gather this information. Knowing your audience will help you tailor your content to their needs and expectations.

2 Choose the right format

The next step is to choose the right format for your content, depending on your purpose, message, and audience. There are many types of content formats, such as text, images, videos, audio, infographics, podcasts, webinars, ebooks, and more. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some may work better on certain devices than others. For example, text is versatile and easy to read on any device, but it can be boring and long-winded. Images are visual and engaging, but they can slow down your page load time and use more data. Videos are dynamic and immersive, but they can be distracting and require sound. You should choose the format that best suits your content goals and your audience's preferences.

3 Optimize your content

The third step in optimizing your content is to ensure it looks good, functions well, and loads quickly on different devices. You can use various techniques and tools to achieve this, such as responsive design. This approach uses flexible layouts, images, and media queries to make your content readable and usable on any device. Frameworks, templates, or plugins can help you implement responsive design. Compression is another process that reduces file size without compromising quality; this can help you improve page load speed and enhance user experience. Online tools, software, or plugins can be used for compression. Transcription is a process that converts audio or video content into text, such as captions, subtitles, or summaries; this can make your content more accessible and shareable, helping you reach a wider audience. Online tools, software, or services can be used to transcribe your content automatically or manually.

4 Test your content

The final step is to test your content on different devices, browsers, and networks to ensure it works as intended and provides a consistent positive user experience. You can use emulation to simulate how your content looks and behaves on different devices, browsers, and resolutions. This can help you identify and fix any issues or errors in your content design or functionality. Real device testing involves using actual devices to access and interact with your content and provides realistic feedback on performance and usability. User testing involves asking real users to try out your content and provide their opinions. This gives you valuable insights into the quality, relevance, and appeal of your content. It is not easy to create content that works on any device, but it is worth the effort. By following these steps, you can create content that adapts to your audience's needs and preferences, delivering a satisfying and engaging user experience.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?