More than 80% of users access the Internet from smartphones. Hence, optimizing the site and content for mobile screens is a must – it will not only help to get more SEO traffic but will positively affect the conversion rate.
Adaptive design – what is it?
There are several strategies for creating mobile pages and responsive design is one option. Essentially, this means that when the image is scaled, the content will dynamically adjust to the current screen size. If you are unaware of the technical side of creating websites, entrust your project to professionals from AppKong and have no worries – the website will be built with mobile optimization in mind.
10 tips on creating a mobile-optimized website
So, here are the recommendations that will help you build a site optimized for mobile devices.
1. Install a responsive theme
Let’s start with something simple: you can install a new theme. For a site that has been operating for a long time, this will not be the best idea, but if you are just starting out, training on a certain site, or have low traffic, then installing a ready-made responsive theme is a good solution. Choose the theme that suits your style. After installation, make sure that all the elements look good and the site is ready to go.
2. Simplify the menu
Obviously, mobile screens are noticeably smaller than laptops or desktops – don’t forget this when designing your menu. No one wants to scroll through pages and zoom buttons. Elements should be concise and fit on the screen.
3. Don’t discourage visitors with long forms
If you ask a visitor for a lot of information, this is not quite the right approach. For example, you contact the visitor and motivate them to sign up for the newsletter – there is no need for a home address, phone number, and date of birth, limit the form to the email and name fields.
Placing an order should also not take too long: one of the main reasons for abandoning a purchase is the long process of placing an order. If you want to reduce the number of bounces from smartphones, you need to change the design of the forms on the mobile site.
4. Clearly display the CTA button
Since we are dealing with a smaller screen, it is not a good idea to overload the visitor by placing more than one CTA button on the page. Focus on one goal – to download, follow, or buy something. The right call-to-action button will give you an edge over your competitors. Web design for startups must include a well-chosen and focused CTA to drive attention of the viewers toward it. Besides, it has to be easy to find. It should not take a user longer than 1-2 seconds to find a CTA button.
5. Add a search function
Anything can be placed on the site, but finding what you need (especially on a smartphone screen) can be quite difficult. The search bar helps with this. A search bar reduces the need to simplify the menu, motivating you to search for something specific – a gadget, an article, or a category. This option will reduce the bounce rate.
6. Make it easier for customers to contact support
No matter how much time is spent on designing the site, changing the buttons or redrawing the interface, people will have problems. It is absolutely normal. Be sure that the user will be able to quickly contact support and solve a problem or get an answer to a question. The information about the company, contact numbers, contact forms, and online chat have to be located in an easy-to-spot place.
7. Size matters
Navigating the site using a laptop or a desktop PC is unlikely to be difficult, the mouse cursor facilitates this. In the process of optimizing a mobile website, be sure that the location of buttons is convenient making it possible for users to easily navigate the website and take the necessary actions.
8. Avoid or minimize pop-ups
For those who open a site from a PC, a few pop-up windows will not be a problem (although they can cause irritation), but if a visitor is using a smartphone – there will be trouble. Get rid of pop-ups on the mobile version of the site. People don’t like them in general, but on a mobile device, persistent windows cause a real rage. The form not only covers half of the screen, but it is quite difficult to close it.
Remember, people use their thumbs to click on small screens. The small “X” button to close the ad that pops up on the gadget screen will be so small that closing the window will become an overwhelming task. In attempts, users can even accidentally click on an ad. This will undeniably annoy them.
9. Choose the right font
The font should be clear and easy to read, not move when zoomed, and divide the text into visible boundaries. There is not so much room for originality here, the font is the main part of the site, which will be addressed the most. Experiment with the text, but do not forget to check the readability of the pages.
10. Speed matters a lot
Regardless of the changes made to the site, pay attention to its speed. If it takes more than 3 seconds to load, users will highly likely close it. The best way to reduce loading time is to remove heavy images and visual effects and simplify the design. Simple sites load much faster and have a higher conversion rate.
Conclusion
If you do not take care of mobile optimization of the site pages, then you can lose a significant part of the traffic. Besides that, the mobile-first indexing algorithm from Google makes website owners pay attention to the mobile optimization of their resources. Therefore, building a site duly optimized for mobile devices is a must to run a business in 2022. Mind the tips we have provided in the post or entrust your resource to professionals to avoid the hassle.
