With the use of mobile devices increasing globally, it is no longer an option for businesses to have a mobile-friendly website, it is vital.
But why is it vital and how do you make sure it is mobile-friendly? We outline steps you can take to help make your website more mobile-friendly.
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Why is it important to have a mobile responsive website?
As a service provider, your website is often the first touchpoint for potential clients, and just as you would want your physical office to create a strong and positive first impression, you want the same for your website.
Think of it this way: if a potential client visits your website and it takes too long to load, they’re most likely to leave. Even if they access your website, if it is difficult to navigate the user will become frustrated or confused, resulting in them giving up and turning to another business. Additionally, if key information—such as directions to your office, a phone number, or an email address—is hard to find then once again they will look elsewhere.
And that’s not all, to add to the problems, search engines are more favourable to those that are mobile-friendly, meaning that if yours isn’t your search engine rankings will be negatively impacted.
How to make a mobile-friendly website
Now that we’ve established the importance of a mobile-friendly website, let’s look at how to create one:
Responsive design
A website needs to adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions so that no matter what visitors are viewing your website on, whether a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, they have a smooth experience.
Page load speed
40% of users will leave a site if take more than three seconds to load
Mobile users are often on the go, and with a recent report stating the above, it is more important than ever to ensure your website loads quickly.
If you’re unsure about how fast your website is, visit PageSpeed Insights.
Other steps like reducing the image sizes used across your website or minimising redirects are simple yet effective ways to help reduce your load times.
Navigation
Simplicity is key.
Don’t overcomplicate your website by using complex menus and cluttered layouts. This makes it difficult for users to find the information they need.
Ensure your navigation is clear and concise, with prominent call-to-action buttons that guide users to important sections like your service offerings and contact details. Remember the purpose of your website is to help convert.
Readability
While your text may look fine on your desktop, this may not be the case for smaller screens. The text might be too small or hard to read so check that your font sizes are large enough for comfortable reading.
Other steps you can take, are avoiding long paragraphs and breaking up content with bullet points, headings, and white space. These steps can make your website more digestible on mobile devices.
Touch-friendly design
Make sure users do not need to zoom or scroll excessively to complete an action. Remember they will be interacting with your website through touch rather than a mouse.
For example, ensure that the entire ‘contact us’ button is easily tappable, rather than requiring users to tap on a specific small area.
Test across multiple devices
Now when your design is complete, the work doesn’t stop there.
You need to test, test and test again to make sure that your website works on various mobile devices. By doing this, you can spot any issues and fix them before they have a major impact on your visitor’s experience.
Benefits of a mobile-friendly website
While having a mobile-friendly website is essential for improving the user experience, the advantages extend far beyond that.
Improve your website’s SEO
As mentioned above, Google prioritises those websites that are mobile-friendly, meaning your website is more likely to rank higher if it’s designed with mobiles and tablets in mind.
Help increase user engagement
Users are more likely to stay longer, explore your services, and engage with your business if the website is easy to access and use.
Increase chances of conversions
Users are more likely to take action when they can quickly navigate your website and find what they need.
Importance of a mobile-friendly website
If your current website is not mobile-optimised, now is the time to act. Prioritising mobile-friendliness can significantly increase your digital presence and ensure that your services are easily accessible to all potential clients, no matter how they browse.
Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion.
