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Have you joined the mobile-friendly website bandwagon? Still holding out due to uncertainty that it’s really necessary? Consider this. Analysts predict that by 2017 two out of three users worldwide will access content via mobile device rather than a personal computer.
Being halfway through the third quarter of 2016, it’s a good time to optimize your site for mobile and be ready to engage as many holiday shoppers as possible.
A Checklist for Creating an Optimized Mobile Website:
- Function and User Experience – Is your site as simple to navigate on a mobile device as it is on a PC? A clear and well-planned design creates a user experience that keeps readers on your page longer.
- Designed for a Real Person – Keep buttons and text links large enough for the average adult to click on them intentionally. (The average adult has fingertips wider than a 16pt font and narrow rows of text.) Consider adding the option of voice search for increased ease of use.
- Search Engine Optimization – Know how search engines will read and rank your mobile site — and plan your mobile design accordingly.
- Calls to Action (CTA) – Make CTA buttons reasonably large and place them in prominent positions for a mobile device.
- No Pop-Ups or Flash – Pop-ups can annoy mobile users, in particular, and be difficult to close on a small screen. Flash technology is not compatible with most mobile devices. Avoiding use of these on your site is a ‘golden rule’ for mobile friendliness.
- Loading Time – Test your load times on a variety of devices. Most visitors will not wait more than two to three seconds for a page to load before moving on. It is vital that your site loads quickly.
- Design – Test your website design on a variety of devices, both PC and mobile, and browsers. Avoid numerous drop down menus, excessive images or quote blocks, and key information “buried” under several screens.
Overwhelmed by all the factors that go into making a mobile-friendly site? Let Page Progressive help! Give us a call today at 919-374-3014.