Mobile usage has dramatically increased over the years, mainly because of the adoption and advancements of smartphones. A few years ago, only a handful of people could afford a smartphone. However, as tech companies began making better and cheaper smartphones, people across all demographics and socioeconomic classes have been able to purchase these valuable devices. This means that a large segment of humanity is using their mobile phones to go online to connect and view content. If you are a website owner, you need to be aware of this fact as you will need to optimize your website to suit this new target market.
(Pixabay / JESHOOTS-com)
Times Have Changed
The typical look of a website has changed drastically from 10 years ago. A decade ago, a “cool” website would be something that had a lot of bells and whistles in the form of videos, sounds, testimonials, and pop-ups. Times have changed, and consumers now prefer a cleaner, more minimalist website that is easier to read and navigate.
People are also more likely to view a website from their mobile phones so as a business owner, you need to plan accordingly. You need to make your website responsive (mobile-friendly) to your web design adjusts to the users device and resolution for easy reading and navigation.
Not an Option
A website that is mobile-friendly is no longer optional, and designing a website for mobile is an entirely new experience compared to designing a desktop. Both layouts have separate needs and ways of interacting that you must account for.
One good example of planning for mobile users is remembering that they typically only use one hand for scrolling and tapping, and since most people are right-handed, you should design with that in mind.
For right-handed people, the top left corner is the hardest corner to reach, and the middle right section is the easiest. If you need to include rarely-used menus, place them in the upper left corner, but keep your Call to Actions near the center of the screen where the user’s thumb is hovering. Likewise, you shouldn’t put pertinent information in the bottom right corner because that is the area that is easiest to cover with the scrolling hand. This could lead to users missing out on some important information.
These kinds of problems are virtually non-existent for desktop users, which is why designing a mobile-ready website is a unique project. Though it may be easiest to stay with the old familiar desktop-only version of your site, you’re sure to alienate visitors if you do. If you want to stay competitive and ensure that all of your users have an easier time navigating your website, go mobile today.