In a recent study by Provision Living, it was reported that the average American spends over five hours a day on their mobile device. In fact, mobile data traffic is likely to increase by 25% over the course of the next three years. As we all carry our phones wherever we go, this isn’t much of a surprise. While mobile devices were initially used to make phone calls and send short text messages, their purpose today is vastly different. Smartphones are bastions of information, and the Internet gives us access to almost anything we’d like to know. If, for instance, you want to know the population of Nauru, the world’s smallest island country, you can get your answer within seconds (As of 2020, it’s 10, 834). If you want to know what products a local business near you sells, you can also use your phone to navigate to their website.
As a business owner, it’s crucial to design a mobile-friendly site for all users. In 2022, failing to do so is equivalent to shuttering the doors of your business. You want everyone to be able to access your products and services, not just desktop users. In today’s world, unlocking our smartphones from anywhere is much more convenient than opening our laptops. The dominance of mobile phones is here to stay, and marketers should adjust accordingly. If you’re wondering how you can get the most out of your website, follow these mobile-friendly design tips and tricks.
1. Keep it Simple
Our phones can do many things, but there is a reason they aren’t the size of television screens. Everything is meant to be compact and convenient, and your website design should reflect this purpose. On a mobile-friendly site, you only have so much space to work with. Stick to the essentials, make the information clear and straightforward, and don’t include any clutter. Simplicity should be your new favorite word.
2. No Pop-Ups
If you think pop-ups are annoying enough on a desktop, they’re twice as frustrating on a mobile device. These advertisements take up the whole screen, and they’re often difficult to remove with the touch of a finger. Unless you’re offering a quick discount, pop-ups aren’t particularly useful. Users find them irritating, and they distract from viewer experience.
3. Think About Sizing
Ensure that the font on your mobile site is 14px at a minimum. Users should be able to read content easily without having to zoom in or squint. As far as buttons go, the recommended size is 44px x 44px. In order for visitors to navigate your site, interact with your content and make purchases, they need to be able to click buttons. It can be incredibly frustrating to maneuver a site with fonts and small buttons that don’t function correctly.
4. Choose a Mobile-Friendly Theme
Sometimes, you’ll have the option to pick a theme that has already been designed for mobile optimization. A WordPress blog, for instance, offers a variety of unique templates to choose from. This will save you plenty of time and effort. However, always be sure to check the site’s responsiveness and browse the blog yourself. Complicated themes can lag, and you don’t want that to happen on a mobile device.
5. Include a Search Bar
Any user that clicks on your site wants to find out more about your business. The best way to showcase all your products is by utilizing a search bar. This way, visitors will be able to find what they want as quickly as possible. Having a search bar that’s visible on the front page will boost your conversions and increase sales.
6. Optimize Images
Apart from things like animation, buttons, and text, images occupy a considerable amount of server space. With that being said, images are necessary if you want your site to be visually appealing. Compressing file sizes is the best way to keep the pictorial content you want without slowing your mobile site speeds. It’s a win-win situation.
7. Test, Test, Test
Some business owners make the mistake of assuming their website functions well on mobile phones. This is usually the case if they don’t understand the importance of mobile-friendly marketing. This is why testing is so crucial. If you currently have a website that hasn’t been specifically designed for smartphones, try out the mobile version yourself. If you have a hard time navigating through your site, your customers will too. Even if you don’t have mobile savvy, a digital media company can make sure all users can access your site.
Are you looking to make your website more mobile-friendly? At Gauge Digital Media, our experts can help you accomplish your highest goals. We offer website and graphic design options that function perfectly on mobile devices and desktops. We can also direct your ad campaigns, display ads across Google AdWords and Bing Ads, and measure them accurately. Furthermore, our specialists will assist you with your SEO, social media marketing, and e-mail marketing needs. No matter your business or industry, we can help you thrive.
We Are Here to Help Grow Your Business Online and Through SEO
Working with a professional digital marketing company is the best way to make the most of your website and all that Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn ads, Google Analytics and other digital advertising platforms have to offer. To learn more about the best digital marketing strategies for your company and reach a bigger audience than ever before, work with Gauge Digital Media. For a quote or to schedule a call, contact us at (443) 201-7709.
