As of February 2024, over 65% of online traffic came from mobile devices (source). This makes it more crucial than ever that your website is optimized to provide the best mobile experience. Most people in the field are familiar with responsive web design, the practice of ensuring a website displays well across a wide range of screen sizes, but there are also a number of other aspects to take into consideration. Here are 4 tips for mobile website design:

1. Enlarge Interactive Elements

Unlike traditional PCs that use a mouse for navigation, mobile devices rely on touchscreens. This direct interaction means users tap directly on the screen, but with less precision due to the larger size of fingers compared to a cursor.

To improve usability:

• Ensure buttons and form fields are large enough to easily tap
• Provide sufficient space between interactive elements to prevent accidental taps, especially when they are close together

2. Simplify Hover States

On desktop, elements often reveal additional information when you hover over them with a cursor. However, mobile devices lack cursors, altering how hover states work:

• Mobile browsers typically activate hover states upon tapping, which can conflict with other tap actions
• Avoid relying exclusively on hover states for important information or functionality

3. Integrate Touch Gestures

Reflect on how different the interaction is between desktop and mobile devices:

• Consider incorporating touch gestures that mimic similar components in native mobile apps, such as swiping to open a sidebar menu

4. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

For websites or pages frequently visited, consider configuring them as Progressive Web Apps:

• PWAs allow users to add your site to their home screen with a custom icon, offering a user experience similar to native apps
• For detailed guidance on PWAs, view our recent video on the topic

Conclusion

Optimizing your website for mobile devices isn't just about making it responsive. It's about considering how users interact differently on mobile and enhancing those interactions for better engagement and usability. By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the mobile experience for your visitors.

Image Credit: Adobe Firefly