With the increase in smartphone and tablet use, it is even more important to have a website optimized for mobile devices. Developing your site will give you an edge over the competition, boosting your engagement and sales.
According to Mobify Developers, 57 percent of mobile users will abandon your website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Creating a page that is both visually pleasing and quick to load may seem difficult, but it is important to implement in your business strategy. Most websites will load on a mobile device, but the experience of a non-mobile friendly site can be awkward and unprofessional. Creating a mobile site will help your content view faster and easier. Maximizing your website’s effectiveness online will allow you to better connect to the 1.2 billion people who now access the web from their mobile devices.
The mobile user:
Your mobile users are on-the-go. They are waiting in line at the pharmacy or walking to meet friends. Think about what is drawing them to your website. Are they more likely to be in a rush checking your website for business location or hours? Or, are they merely passing time, amusing themselves? Craft your content and navigation around what information they need and how quickly they need to know it. Easing their journey will leave your users satisfied instead of searching for your competitors.
A crafted mobile experience means that websites will look different than the desktop view, because users require different data away from the office and home. Through creating mobile sites, you show users that your company will anticipate their needs. 61 percent of people have a better opinion of brands when they offer a good mobile experience, according to a study by Latitude.
The mobile experience:
While visuals and design elements are important, consider how your website will fit in a smaller screen. Text needs to stay around 14 px. Pictures need to be compressed and automatically rearrange to fit the screen. Make your users do as little pinching and zooming as possible. Put just as much information as necessary, and make it easy for them to access other parts of your site.
According to web designer Brad Frost, “mobile users will do anything and everything desktop users will do, provided it’s presented in a usable way.”
Remember that a user is tapping and using a finger to “click” on your screen. Keep links long enough that they can actually be touched. Get rid of any add-ons like Flash and JavaScript that could leave your user confused. Create an intuitive user experience that will engage your users instead of confuse and exasperate.
Mobile content:
As always, remember your reader. Create a site they can read easily and quickly. Provide the maximum amount of information with as few words possible. Use attention grabbing titles and draw attention down the page.
Throughout this process, examine your website from a smartphone or tablet yourself. Can you read the type? Does it give errors? Does it load in less than three seconds? Do your company a favor and create a site for the 1.2 billion mobile users out there.
~Katelyn
