Did you know that 90% of people on the planet have mobile access to the Internet? We’re always connected and always online. We routinely use mobile to find restaurants, look up medical symptoms, search events, email, update social media channels and shop online. Just about everything we do in the course of a day is done online. We’re living in a mobile first world.
Yet, many websites are still designed for a rich desktop experience. So how does your website measure up when it comes to mobile?
Is your website formatted for mobile? When visiting your site on a phone the user should see a site that is formatted to fit their device screen. This can be accomplished by forwarding them to a dedicated mobile site or using a theme that is mobile responsive. Viewing a desktop version on a mobile phone is a bad experience as it may be difficult to navigate or use certain features.
Does your website load slow or not load at all on mobile? You only have 8 seconds to make a good first impression. If the website does not load within that time, mobile users will move on and find another site offering the same or similar services. Sites often load slow because of scripts, redirects, or large image files. These are very easy things to fix and can make for a better user experience.
Do features work as intended on your mobile site? Forms, slideshows, shopping carts, and other features may not work as intended on a mobile site. For mobile sites you should stick to simple forms with text input only – avoid features like dropdowns and reCAPTCHA which can be buggy. Dropdowns often don’t show all options or can be difficult to click. Some reCAPTCHA items such as moving a puzzle piece or choosing photos may not work as intended. If you need to use reCAPTCHA, try sticking to ones that use text input only – such as solving a simple math problem or inputting numbers and letters in a text field.
Does your mobile site simplify processes for users? Can users login with stored credentials? Is shopping info stored for one-click ordering? Simplifying processes for mobile users not only saves time but may help retain repeat customers.
Mobile sites don’t have to be bare bones or boring– but should still look and feel like an extension of your brand. Think about what tasks mobile users want to accomplish with your site and design around that.
Start where you are. If you don’t yet have a mobile version of your site, think about adding one. If you are not sure how to do this, talk with a Web Developer. Some platforms such as WordPress or Wix have themes that are mobile responsive. It may be as simple as updating to a new theme. If you already have a mobile site, think about how you can improve things to create a better and richer experience for your users.
We’re living in mobile first world, so why not make it easier for mobile users to use your website?