Mobile responsive design has become a crucial factor in the success of websites, particularly for businesses that have a significant proportion of mobile traffic. According to Statista, over 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices, with the number projected to continue to grow in the future. This means that having a website that is optimised for mobile devices is more important than ever.
For businesses in specific sectors such as food, travel, and retail, having a mobile responsive website can be especially critical. According to Google, 50% of users who conduct a local search on their mobile device will visit a store within a day, while 18% of local mobile searches lead to a sale within one day. For these types of businesses, having a mobile-friendly website that provides a seamless user experience can mean the difference between gaining a new customer or losing them to a competitor.
Additionally, in the travel industry, research by Expedia shows that more than 50% of all travel bookings are made via mobile devices, making a mobile responsive website essential for businesses in this sector. In the food industry, research by Toast Tab reveals that over 60% of restaurant website traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting the importance of having a website that is optimised for mobile. On top of this, a report by Flipdish, a food ordering and loyalty platform, in 2020, 83% of takeaway orders were placed through mobile devices, while only 17% were placed through desktop devices. The report analysed data from over 2,000 restaurant locations across 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.
According to a recent study, the percentage of website users for service-based industry websites using mobile devices has surpassed desktop usage. The study found that 52.2% of website traffic for service-based industries comes from mobile devices, while 47.8% comes from desktops. This shift towards mobile usage highlights the importance of mobile-responsive design for businesses in the service industry. It is crucial for businesses to have a website that is optimised for mobile devices to ensure that they are reaching their target audience and providing a seamless user experience across all devices.
What to consider when building mobile responsive websites
When building a new mobile responsive website, there are a few core things that mobile website developers need to consider to ensure a great user experience:
First and foremost, a mobile-first approach should be taken, meaning that the design and functionality of the website should be optimised for mobile devices first, and then scaled up to desktop screens. This is important because more than half of all internet traffic now comes from mobile devices, and businesses need to cater to this growing audience.
Another important consideration for mobile website developers is page speed. Mobile users expect websites to load quickly, and Google’s algorithm now penalises slow-loading websites in search rankings. In fact, studies have shown that a one-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% reduction in conversions. Mobile website developers should optimise images and use a content delivery network (CDN) to ensure fast load times.
Additionally, mobile website developers need to ensure that the website is easy to navigate on a small screen. This means using clear and concise navigation menus, limiting the number of clicks required to access important information, and ensuring that buttons and links are large enough to be easily clicked on a touchscreen.
Mobile website developers need to ensure that the website is optimised for a range of mobile devices with different screen sizes and resolutions. This means using responsive design techniques to ensure that the website layout adjusts automatically to fit the size and orientation of the screen it is being viewed on. By considering these core factors, mobile website developers can create websites that provide a great user experience and help businesses to connect with their mobile audience.
Overall, businesses that do not prioritise mobile responsive design risk alienating potential customers and losing out on sales. With the majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, businesses need to ensure that their website provides a seamless user experience across all devices. By investing in mobile responsive design, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and provide a better user experience for their customers.
