As of October 2024, 63% of global web traffic and 58% of US web traffic are from mobile devices. With the continuously increasing number of mobile phone users expected to reach 7.49 billion by 2025 worldwide, it is no surprise that more website visitors and web browser inquiries are coming from mobile devices than desktops. For this very reason, Google has spent the past decade updating its search ranking algorithm to favor websites that are mobile-friendly.
Optimizing your websites to be mobile-friendly is now a must for all businesses and organizations. The first step in improving your website is understanding that just because a website looks good on a desktop, does not mean it will look equally as good on a mobile phone. Several elements must be considered, primarily due to the massive difference in screen size and support programs.
To give your audience a better viewing experience, improve SEO, and drive more website traffic, here are some mobile website Dos and Don’ts you should consider when designing your websites:
Dos
The Rule of Thumb (or Index Finger) – All clickable buttons or elements must be big enough for thumbs of all sizes to avoid misplaced clicks. Most people on their phones also tend to use their thumbs to scroll through your web pages, so one characteristic of mobile-friendly phones is that you want to ensure users do not need to use their other hand to access what they need from your website.
Readable Fonts and Recognizable Symbols – Large and readable fonts ensure users don’t have to pinch or double tap the screen to zoom in and out of your content. Be consistent with font styles for readability. Use recognizable symbols, such as a magnifying glass for search and a landline for contact numbers, to minimize text on the screen.
Compress Images – Images that take too long to load can be frustrating for users. Always compress the file size and lower the resolution of your images so they’ll load faster, but not to the point that they’ll look blurry or grainy. JPEG, PNG, and WebP image formats are still the best for websites.
Don’ts
Large Blocks of Text – While long paragraphs may not seem like an issue in desktop view, they tend to look like large blocks of text when on mobile devices. In some cases, these blocks of text can easily occupy the entire smartphone screen, which will immediately deter your audience from reading what could be important or relevant information.
Pop-Ups – These only work on desktops, not mobile devices. Users might feel frustrated when encountering pop-ups on their devices as they typically fill up the entire screen. These can be much harder to remove since the ‘x’ button at the corner is not easily visible or clickable.
Long Forms or Surveys – Contact forms and surveys are incredible tools for conversions and audience data collection, however they could backfire if users are asked to type long and complicated answers on their phones. Only ask for short type-written answers, and for surveys, use a numerical or ranking-based form that is more convenient for mobile users.
A well-designed website is significant for the growth of your business. Without it, engaging new prospective consumers online and retaining your current audience will be difficult. If you’re unsure how to create a more engaging and mobile-optimized website, C2 Communications is here to provide its expertise. We work closely with our clients to design websites aligned with their brand identity and create website content highlighting their unique qualities as a business or organization. Take the critical step toward business improvement with C2 Communications!
