With mobile internet usage on the rise, prioritizing mobile-friendly website development is crucial for companies to effectively reach their audience. This not only enhances user experience but also boosts search engine rankings, considering that about 60% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices. A mobile-friendly website adjusts its layout to suit various devices, providing a seamless viewing experience, while offering specific mobile features like click-to-call and efficient navigation for swift loading times.
Here, we will highlight the best tips for a Mobile-friendly site
How do I make my website more mobile-friendly?
- Select A Template or Theme That Is Mobile Friendly
Having a mobile-responsive design is crucial, and fortunately, most top website builders offer this feature across their templates. For instance:
- Squarespace is renowned for its impeccable mobile responsiveness, making it ideal for prioritizing mobile experience.
- Wix: While all templates are mobile-responsive, ensure to check the mobile view during customization for seamless adjustments due to its high level of customization.
For CMS systems like WordPress, opt for mobile-responsive themes. Switch to one if your current theme isn’t mobile-friendly. Search for a ‘responsive theme’ in the WordPress library or platforms like ThemeForest, ensuring to review and test the theme’s mobile usability firsthand.
2- Optimize Website Loading Speed
Website speed is crucial for viewer impressions. Research shows that a site loading in one second yields a conversion rate three times higher than one taking five seconds. Evaluate your website’s loading time using BrowserStack SpeedLab, which provides free reports for both desktop and mobile viewing. Hosting videos on third-party platforms like YouTube or Wistia and embedding them on your site can significantly improve loading speed.
3-Keep Simplicity in Design
According to Michael LaVista, founder and CEO of Caxy Interactive, an application design and development company, “A clean design and concise copy can have a significant impact. You have only a few seconds to communicate your company’s identity, especially on smaller devices. This principle applies to all website designs but is particularly crucial for mobile interfaces.”
4- Keep content short and enjoyable
A smartphone’s screen is substantially smaller than a desktop computer’s, so try to minimize the amount of text on your mobile website, To maintain the reader’s interest on a mobile device, simply provide the necessary copy.
5-Optimize Image Compression
When adding images to your website, compress them using tools like Kraken.io to reduce file size and boost download speed. Consider using image formats like JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, AVIF, and WebP for smaller file sizes without compromising quality. Another strategy is lazy loading, where images load dynamically as users scroll, optimizing website performance.
6- Prefer HTML5 Over Adobe Flash
While Adobe Flash is renowned for animations, it lacks support on mobile devices. Therefore, it’s advisable to steer clear of Flash usage on your websites and opt for HTML5 instead.
HTML5 offers extensive online capabilities without the need for browser plugins. You can embed videos, audio, and animations using HTML5, which is compatible with mobile devices.
7- Use a Clear and Legible Font
The recommended font size of at least 14 pixels for desktops may not suffice for readability on smaller screens. To ensure legibility, it’s crucial to test the font size on a mobile device.
Avoid experimenting with unfamiliar fonts, especially script-type fonts, on mobile devices, as they may pose readability challenges. Instead, consider emphasizing certain text lines with bolding and maintain consistency in font style throughout.
Opt for black text over various colors to enhance visibility, particularly when backgrounds differ or in conditions like outdoor viewing with sun glare on the device.
8- Ensure Adequate Spacing for Links
Due to the smaller screens of mobile devices, it’s crucial to provide ample distance between links to prevent visitors from inadvertently tapping the wrong URL.
Additionally, strive to link only to web pages that are optimized for mobile viewing, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.
9- Enhance Form and Input Field Optimization for Mobile Devices
Completing forms on mobile devices can pose challenges when they’re not properly optimized. This often results in frustration and incomplete submissions. For businesses, this can lead to missed opportunities, as crucial actions like filling out contact forms, generating leads, and completing purchases are abandoned.
Here are some key strategies for ensuring optimal form functionality on mobile devices:
- Minimize the number of fields to streamline the process.
- Implement input masks and auto-fill options to expedite data entry.
- Provide clear error messages and validation feedback to guide users in correcting mistakes and confirming accurate input.
10- And finally, Regularly Test Your Website on Mobile Devices
To ensure your website remains mobile-friendly, it’s essential to conduct regular testing. Start by evaluating the user experience directly on mobile devices, ensuring compatibility with both Android and iOS platforms.
Additionally, utilize Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, a free tool that allows you to assess each page’s mobile compatibility.
Make it a habit to test your website frequently, particularly following any updates or changes to the site, this ongoing testing helps maintain optimal performance across various mobile devices.
What is the best tip for content on mobile?
Mobile-friendliness encompasses more than just responsiveness on various devices; it also involves crafting content that is optimized for mobile users.
At NDS, a website development company in Saudi Arabia, we recognize the significance of mobile-friendly content. To deliver an optimal experience for your customers, marketers should view mobile-friendliness as a holistic effort. This approach prioritizes enhancing the overall experience for your customers. and this is a good tip for content on mobile:
Short Paragraphs & Bold Colors
Break content into short paragraphs and use high-contrast colors to enhance readability and engagement. Aim for paragraphs with one idea in two to three sentences, spanning no more than four to five lines. Provide a summary before the main content to capture mobile users’ attention. Prioritize readability with font sizes larger than 32 points and avoid low-contrast colors.
Conclusion
In today’s mobile-first world, a seamless website experience across all devices is essential. At NDS, we specialize in navigating the unique challenges of the Saudi Arabian mobile audience. Partner with us to optimize your mobile presence.
Contact us for a consultation and build a thriving mobile experience in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
