More people are looking at your website on the go than ever before. Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are now the most common way to access the web.
So why are you still using a website that only caters to people using desktops?
Like many website owners, you know how important being mobile-friendly is. You’ve been stuck on how to make a mobile version of your website.
The good news is it’s easier than you think. Our guide will walk you through the process of making websites mobile friendly.
Step 1 of How to Make a Mobile Version of Your Website: Look at Design
The first thing you should do when you want to make a mobile version of your website is to look at the design you’re running. This could be a custom design, or it might be a pre-made theme you bought.
If it’s not responsive, then it’s not designed for mobile. Luckily, most website designs from the last few years are already optimized.
In most cases, all you need to do to make a mobile version of your website is to adopt the right design. The design can detect the device it’s being displayed on and adjusts itself accordingly.
In rare cases, you may want to make a separate version of your website for mobile. To do so, you can use plugins for platforms like WordPress. Maintaining two versions of the website is an added expense, so it’s best to opt for responsive design.
Making Websites More Mobile-Friendly
There’s a difference between making a mobile version of a website and making a mobile-friendly website. A mobile website displays on mobile. A mobile-friendly website is optimized for mobile display.
Google started including mobile-friendliness in its SEO ranking factors a few years ago. It even started a mobile-first strategy for ranking content.
Some tips for how to make your website friendly for mobile include:
- Speeding up mobile loading times
- Making button sizes larger for more clickability
- Using large font sizes for increased readability
You’ll also want to look at your CSS and your images. These elements can bog your website’s loading time down. Compressing them will make your site load faster for your mobile users.
Test, Test, and Test Some More
These aren’t the only methods for how to make a website mobile friendly. New strategies will no doubt emerge in the future too, especially as devices get smarter.
You should be testing your mobile website on a regular basis. The experts at LightHouse Graphics recommend testing to make sure critical elements work. They also suggest viewing the website in different browsers and on other devices.
Every now and then, haul up your website on mobile and make sure everything’s in working order. Ask your team members to do the same. Is there something you can improve?
Reach Your Mobile Audience Now
If you weren’t sure how to make a mobile version of your website, you can now move ahead confidently.
Are you looking for more great website tips? Check out our blog for the latest tips and tricks.