created by Matthew Lean /
Senior Website Project Manager
Since their introduction in the 1980s, mobile phones have revolutionised the way we live our lives. They’ve become our constant companions, providing us with a wealth of information at our fingertips. From surfing the web to listening to music, there’s so much they can offer - you can even use them to make calls! (Who would've guessed?).
With phones as prevalent as they are, it’s no surprise that 55% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. It’s also why mobile-first website design is more important than ever before.
Mobile-first design is just that - a website built with mobiles in mind, rather than desktops. Although it will be optimised for both platforms, mobiles are the current priority.
Below, we’ve laid out the three main reasons mobile-first website design has become key to the success of a website. Let’s dive in!
1. Mobile usage is on the rise
As of 2023, a staggering 86% of the developed world’s population owns a smartphone. This is up 37% from 2016, demonstrating just how important smartphones have become in our day-to-day lives.
The more smartphones are out there, the more people will use them to access the internet. If your website doesn't have a mobile-friendly design, you run the risk of unintentionally excluding a massive chunk of your potential audience. You'd be missing out on valuable opportunities for sales and growth, leaving your company floundering behind your competitors.
2. Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites
Back in 2015, Google recognised changing browsing habits by introducing mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor in their search algorithms.
When a website isn't mobile-friendly, it can lead to a less-than-ideal experience for users trying to access content on smaller screens. To address this, Google adjusts its ranking algorithms to prioritise websites that offer a seamless mobile browsing experience.
If your website hasn’t been optimised for mobile devices, it may struggle to achieve higher search engine rankings. This will make it tougher for users to discover your content, seriously hindering your website traffic and engagement.
3. Mobile users have different needs
Unlike desktop users, who tend to dedicate more time to each website they visit, mobile users are usually on-the-go and looking to get the information they need as quickly as possible. This is proven by their respective bounce rates.- the mobile bounce rate averages 67.4%, while desktop drops down to 32%.
By keeping mobile-first design techniques in mind, you can create a website that’s easy to navigate and offers fast loading times on smaller screens. This will give your mobile users a more positive experience, increasing engagement, reducing bounce rates, and - most importantly - getting you the conversions you’re hoping for.
Promote your business with a high-quality, mobile-first website from b4b
Now that you know why mobile-first design matters, you might be thinking about implementing it in your own business’s website. But where do you start?
Simple - you turn to the experts at b4b.
b4b’s web design wizards have created mobile-first websites for companies of all kinds. We have the know-how to create a website for your business that’s fully optimised for mobile devices, letting you tap into the full potential of the smartphone-dominated digital landscape. You'll be able to reach a much wider audience, delivering a fantastic user experience that leaves people satisfied, loyal, and ready to take action.
We’d love to chat with you about our web design services, so don’t hesitate to get in touch online or call us on 01202 684400. We hope to see you soon!
