Mobile-first, or miss out

Remember when reversing cameras first started showing up in cars?

Plenty of blokes reckoned they didn't need one.

"I've been reversing for thirty years."

Fair enough.

Then they tried one.

Now they wouldn't buy another car without it.

Funny how quickly "nice to have" becomes "couldn't live without it."

Business websites have gone through the same thing.

Years ago, everyone designed websites for big desktop screens.

Then phones came along.

These days, most of your customers will probably visit your website on a mobile before they ever see it on a computer.

If your website isn't built for that...

You're making life harder than it needs to be.

Here are five reasons mobile-first isn't just a nice extra anymore.

1. Most People Visit on Their Phone

Whether they're sitting on the couch...

Waiting for a coffee...

Or standing in the middle of Bunnings...

People browse on their phones.

If your website only looks good on a desktop, you're designing for the minority.

2. Tiny Buttons Cost Big Sales

We've all been there.

You go to tap a button...

Miss it.

Zoom in.

Tap the wrong thing.

Start again.

After a couple of attempts...

Most people give up.

Good mobile design isn't about making things smaller.

It's about making them easier to use.

3. Speed Matters Even More on Mobile

Phone users are usually in a hurry.

If your website spends ten seconds thinking about loading...

Your customer has probably already found someone else.

Fast websites don't just feel better.

They keep people around long enough to become customers.

4. Keep It Simple

A mobile screen isn't very big.

That's actually a good thing.

It forces you to focus on what matters.

Clear headings.
Simple navigation.
Easy-to-read text.
One obvious next step.

If your customer has to hunt around for your phone number...

Something's gone wrong.

5. Google Likes Mobile-Friendly Websites Too

Google knows most people search on their phones.

That's why it pays close attention to how your website performs on mobile.

A website that's easy to use on a phone doesn't just help your customers.

It helps Google understand you're providing a good experience too.

Everyone wins.

Stu's Tip

Pull your phone out right now.

Open your own website.

Now imagine you've never seen it before.

Can you work out what the business does in five seconds?

Can you find your phone number?

Can you send an enquiry without pinching, zooming or squinting?

If not...

Your customers probably can't either.

Final Thoughts

Mobile-friendly isn't a fancy feature anymore.

It's the standard.

Your website should feel just as easy to use on a phone as it does sitting behind a desk.

Because that's where most people will meet your business for the very first time.

If they're fighting the website instead of finding what they need...

They're probably only one tap away from your competitor.

Build for the phone first.

Everything else becomes easier after that.