How to Test Mobile Sites

You can test mobile websites on your desktop or laptop computer.

With an increasing number of mobile devices offering users the ability to access the Internet, Web designers often create websites in two versions: a mobile version, and a "desktop" version. However, some Web designers are not creating smaller, mobile versions of their websites. As a result, many phones are equipped with the ability to display websites as they were designed. You can test websites on your computer before trying to access them on your phone by downloading a mobile device emulator.

Instructions

1. Install Windows Mobile, Microsoft Device Emulator and Virtual Server on your computer (see Resources).

2. Open Windows Mobile Device Center. Click "Start," then "Programs," then "Windows Mobile Device Center." Click "Mobile Device Settings," then "Connection Settings," then "Allow connections to one of the following." Select "DMA."

3. Open the Windows Mobile emulator. Click "Start," then "Programs," then "Windows Mobile 6." Click "Tools," then "Cradle." Windows Mobile Device Center will read "Connected."

4. Download a mobile Web browser of your choice onto your computer (see Resources). Sample browsers include Opera Mobile or Internet Explorer Mobile. Double-click on the browser application that you downloaded to your computer and browse to the mobile site URL. You will see the website as it will appear on your phone.

References

• Technology Gear: Top 5 Mobile Web Browsers
• Download Squad: Microsoft Device Emulator Lets You Run Windows Mobile 6 On Your PC

Resources

• CNET Downloads: Internet Explorer Mobile for Windows Mobile
• Opera: Opera Mobile Download
• Mozilla: Firefox Mobile
• Microsoft :Windows Mobile
• Microsoft: Virtual PC 2007
• Microsoft: Mobile Device Emulator 3.0