A smaller screen
Less is more, as they say, particularly when it comes to the size of the screen mobile devices have. To make your site work well on a phone or tablet it’s important to remember that mobiles are not as powerful as desktop computers, and therefore the information and functions should be streamlined as much as possible. Your website should be focused and uncluttered, and buttons or menus should be easily accessed and clear. Many companies find that, after prioritizing their copy and content for mobile, their desktop site doesn’t need all that extra information either.
Responsive design
A relatively new strategy in web design, a responsive design means a website whose features automatically format according to what kind of device is being used. This not only makes the user experience much smoother and easier, but also helps with search engine optimization (SEO) value. Responsive design is great as it allows designers a little more scope to balance the functionality with the aesthetic without sacrificing an optimized site.
Mobile-first design
If you already have a website built with desktop users in mind, or you don’t have a website at all, it may be better to start from scratch with a mobile-first design. Again, this means cutting down on clutter or processor-heavy elements such as animations, large images, and videos. Of course, what you choose to keep or omit is determined by your audience. For example, in the iGaming niche where your main goal is to, basically, show the games (or casino operators), GiG provider offers a mobile-first platform and frontend solution that can help you create a website that delivers a flawless user experience on both mobile and PC. Platforms like this will ensure optimization comes naturally.
Design aesthetic
Gone are the days of garish, cheaply designed websites. Today’s internet user demands polished, highly functional websites with great design, such as Apple or Google. In a highly competitive market, where first impressions are key, seeing a site that is beautiful, easy to use, and contains a clear brand message can set your business apart from the rest. But as with many of the other tips, less is often more – mobile devices lend themselves to bold but simple design – just remember to keep the color scheme on-brand with the rest of your materials. Having a well-performing and aesthetically pleasing mobile site will reflect well on your company.
Apps
Depending on the nature of your business, you might want to consider getting an app developed that can be installed directly from your site. Apps are great for companies that take bookings or orders, or can offer smart solutions for their products, for example, home appliances often come with internet connectivity for controls or efficiency monitoring. This way, your website can be stripped down even further as a place purely for information, meaning better performance and more scope for aesthetic design.
Tools for your mobile website
There are many tools out there that can help you analyze and diagnose issues with your mobile site, helping you build (or rebuild) efficiently to meet the needs of your business. Here are a few examples:
Pagespeed Insights
A major turnoff for web users is a slow loading page. In fact, studies show that more than 40% of people will abandon a web page if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Pagespeed Insights allows you to see how long it takes for your mobile site to load, and gives you tips to improve performance.
Mobile-Friendly Test
Google offers all sorts of free tools to its users, and the Google Mobile-Friendly Test is perfect for those aiming to optimize their web content for smartphones and tablets. It analyzes if your site is optimized and highlights issues that you need to address.
Responsive Design Checker
This is a free tool to see how well your website performs on any other device. Simply enter your link and select the device from the options available (Android, iPhone X etc). Your results will be displayed in front of you allowing you to highlight problems and resolve them. If the device you need to check isn’t available, you can enter the number of pixels instead. Mobile responsiveness is the key to your business’s success. A well-performing, highly functional, fully optimized, and beautifully designed mobile site will increase your traffic and your conversions.
