With over 80% of the world’s population owning a mobile device, it’s safe to say that mobiles are very prominent in our day and age. For most people, their mobile phone is something they check consistently throughout the day, every day.
This makes up a large demographic of internet users who are viewing websites on their mobile devices. This is where mobile first web design can come in handy. By optimising your website design for smaller screens, you are ensuring that mobile users have a much better experience. In addition to this, Google completed its mobile-first indexing in July 2022.
Here at Britweb we are able to help you optimise your site for smartphone users. Get in touch with us at 01403261491 or online to discuss your options.
What is mobile first web design?
Mobile first design is a design process that aims to enhance mobile user experience by primarily designing for mobile devices. It considers the needs of mobile users over desktop users by designing a website to fit a smaller screen that can later be expanded for desktop, rather than the other way around.
With mobiles having much smaller screens than desktops, web designers will need to showcase the company’s most important aspects in the website layout, in order to make it fully accessible and clear to mobile users.
Why choose mobile first design?
With so many people using their mobile phones to access the internet, it’s clear to see the advantages of mobile first design. It’s a design process that prioritises the majority and allows them to have a better online experience, which can lead to repeat customers.
Mobile first design also removes the need to make separate mobile apps for different devices. By creating a website design that primarily works smoothly on mobile, you are removing the need to make an entire app just so mobile users can view your site.
Furthermore, Google’s algorithm will favour mobile friendly websites, so by choosing mobile first design you’re increasing the chances that your website will rank higher on Google.
Important elements of mobile design
There are a few key things to keep in mind when planning your mobile first design, in order to make it fully accessible and effective.
Visual hierarchy
Due to mobile screen sizes, your web pages should conform to the visual hierarchy by displaying content in the order of its importance. You should only include the relevant content.
Only the most essential features of your company need be displayed on your mobile friendly website, this allows it not only to all fit on the screen, but also to quickly and easily show the customers what your business is and what it is that you provide.
Simplicity
Keeping your mobile first website simple is key. It can enhance user experience, and people are more likely to favour websites that are easy to navigate, and aren’t overloaded with buttons and information.
- You should aim to make all of your text concise and easy to read on smaller screen sizes, this includes formatting and fonts. When you adapt your website for the desktop version, you can add in any extra information you left out of your mobile site.
- It is best to limit the number of pages your mobile website has – use as few pages as you can.
- Pay attention to your formatting, use whatever white space you have to format your web design in a way that doesn’t clutter the entire page.
- Try to whittle down your menu – adding less links within your menu on mobile websites makes it much easier for people to process and navigate your site.
- Avoid heavy elements, you want your site to have as fast a loading speed as possible.
Ease
With mobile first design, you are putting mobile users first. This means catering to their needs and making your website easy and convenient to use.
You should keep your buttons large enough so that people can easily press them with their thumb, and keep some space between each one to avoid unnecessary and accidental clicking about the page.
Make sure you consider where the easiest spots to click on a phone are to enable optimal user experiences. Putting your key buttons right at the top of the phone, or in the top corners, make it more of a stretch for most people to click. The interactive elements of your mobile site should be placed where it is most convenient for mobile users.
We can help
If mobile-first web design is something you now feel will benefit your business, why not get in touch with us today? Call us on 01403 261491 or contact us online.