In 2017-2018, Google started indexing mobile site URLs, showing the importance of optimizing your site for smartphone and tablet viewing.
Today, some websites are still making the transition.
Luckily, if you are starting a new website then you can take advantage of mobile-first website design to meet Google’s algorithm standards.
Get started by learning more about this design technique below.
What Does Mobile-First Design Mean?
The old process of website design used to be that you would create your site according to desktop specifications. Now that mobile searches account for about 62% of online traffic, this practice has changed.
The process of mobile-first design is as the name implies: the design starts with mobile specifications and then expands to larger screens.
Why is Mobile Design Important?
As mentioned, a mobile-first website would be indexed by Google separately. And while your desktop version would still be indexed, having both a mobile and desktop design would direct users to the most appropriate design.
In addition, your site becomes more user-friendly for its growing smartphone user base.
Designing your mobile site first is also easier.
If you design a desktop site first then elements would need to be deleted and compressed to fit a smaller screen. It is simpler to expand and add rather than compress and subtract.
How to Design for Mobile
Now let’s get into the web design tips for your mobile site.
There are specific rules to follow to make sure your mobile design is eye-catching, easy to read, and functional.
Here are a few things to consider while designing your mobile site.
User Purpose and Goals
When you launch a website you are creating an outlet for your customers to find your business and interact with it. However, interaction looks different on a mobile device compared to a desktop.
Think about how and why your users visit your site on their phones. They may be looking for something specific rather than browsing like they would on a desktop. For example, maybe they only want to find the menu for your restaurant not read about your business’ background.
Keep this in mind as you read the following design tips.
Fit on One Page
Many mobile design templates use a one-page scrolling technique. This means that images or words should never cut off the screen as the user swipes down. Divide your content into blocks to keep them contained to one page per scroll.
This rule applies to content, images, and even backgrounds or graphics.
Layout According to Navigation
Navigation is the most important part of mobile design. Allowing your customers to find parts of your website quickly will lead to more conversions and less frustration. Keep navigation headers to a minimum and make sure they are intuitive.
Keep CTA Short and Simple
In addition to navigation buttons, CTAs for your website design should be short and simple. They need to fit on the page and be clear without being wordy. Don’t be too generic by using vague terms like “click here.” Instead, let the user know why they should proceed.
Getting Started with Your Mobile-First Design
Creating a mobile-first design can be daunting if you usually rely on your desktop version as your main template. However, with a little bit of help, you can start to see the benefits of designing for your mobile version first.
Get started by contacting us today to discuss your design.