A mobile-first strategy is becoming more critical than ever. Most online activity now takes place on mobile devices rather than computers. Your website may look different to half of your audience if it is viewed on a mobile device than what you see on your desktop. Mobile design is a crucial part of your website’s design.
Mobile is becoming the norm and driving massive changes in consumer behavior. Every year, more shoppers choose to shop using their mobile phones. Mobile accounts for about half of all web traffic.
Advanced Digital Media Services recognizes this shift to mobile and will show you how to implement a mobile-first strategy that works. We’ll define it, look at its benefits, and share best practices to get you and your business started on the road to success.
The Mobile-First User Experience
The mobile-first user experience website design focuses on mobile users first, rather than desktop users. This acknowledges the fact that most website visitors will access the site via a mobile device rather than a laptop or desktop computer. Therefore, priority should be given to mobile users.
A mobile-first strategy has become a core principle of design. It is an integral part of a brand’s overall strategy. The number of businesses adopting a mobile-first strategy is increasing, from small local businesses to large corporations.
If there are ways to streamline or simplify processes for the benefit of both consumers and companies who serve them, they should.
Even if your business isn’t convinced that a mobile-first investment would be a good idea, don’t let complacency get in the way of your success. Sometimes adopting a mobile first mentality can mean accepting that even if something is working, it still needs to be improved.
The Benefits of a Mobile-First Approach
A desktop-first approach has many advantages over designing for a small screen. However, there are also advantages to starting to implement a mobile-first approach. Here are five reasons to consider a mobile-first strategy for your business:
1. Multi-platform responsiveness
Mobile-first websites are compatible with all types of platforms. Visitors should see the same site on their smartphone and on their desktop computers.
2. Search Engine Optimization
A website’s SEO rating can be affected by its adaptive mobile design. Search engines such as Google now use mobile-first indexing techniques. Google and other search engines practice mobile-first indexing to crawl apps and websites, considering the mobile device first and the desktop device later. Most companies place mobile design at the core of their web strategy, with Google now well-established in its mobile-first indexing and crawling philosophy.
3. Get critical data insights
It is wise to prioritize your mobile app to gain valuable insights into user behavior over time. This data can help you make data-driven decisions that will allow you to achieve your goals and grow your business. You can also personalize your mobile apps for each user using data tracking, improving the user experience and increasing revenue.
4. Improved user experience
One of the most important things to think about is user experience (UX). Mobile-first design examples all aim to provide customers with the best experience. Users will abandon a website that is difficult or too slow to use in no time. A good UX leads to earning their loyalty and keeps them coming back.
5. Superior customer service
You can create a mobile app with more UX options than you can with web applications. You can adapt the user experience to customers’ preferences and make adjustments to increase revenue and brand recognition.
How to Develop a Mobile-First Design Geared for Success
It is important for businesses aiming to create a website that converts more people and performs better in search to look into mobile-first development. Here are some best practices you can start to check out when developing your mobile-first strategy:
1. Take into account the size of touchscreen targets
A touchscreen user is less able to locate an icon than a trackpad or mouse. When setting the parameters for your touchscreen targets, this should be taken into account. These should be 7-10mm for a mobile device for best results.
2. Facilitate feedback submissions
When optimizing your app’s performance over the long term, user feedback can be an advantage. It would be best if you made it easy for customers to give feedback and increase their retention rate. You can use the app’s submission form or prompt to rate your app on the app store. Active social media channels offering customer support are another innovative way to make it simple for users to provide feedback.
3. Beta test your mobile app
Beta testing your mobile application will increase its retention rate starting on Day 1. Beta testing your mobile app is an excellent way for you to find its issues before introducing it to a broader audience. You won’t have to pay for users who uninstall your app because of a widespread issue.
Beta testing is a great way to identify problems and optimize what works well in your app. Data analysis can help you improve your app’s user experience and launch it to the best possible launch.
4. App Store Optimization (ASO)
ASO is often confused with SEO (Search Engine Optimization). ASO boosts rankings for app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. SEO is for search engine rankings, such as Google. ASO is a cost-effective and valuable way to increase organic traffic and retention rates and improve ROI. This is the act of changing your app store entry to improve visibility and gain a higher ranking. You can improve your app store entry to increase visibility and get a higher rank.
- Update your primary and second categories
- Optimize and Update Your App Description
- For different regions, localize your app store entry
- In your app name, include keywords
- Use engaging images and other useful images to illustrate your points
Organic installs are often the most valuable users due to their organic interest. ASO can help you get ahead of your competition in the app store rankings. It will also positively impact many of your app’s KPIs.
5. Chatbots can be implemented
Chatbots are a great way to provide critical information for users without the need for manual work by your customer service team. This is a great way for customers to be satisfied and users to get the answers they need 24 hours a day.
6. Keep your design simple
Your mobile app and mobile website design should be simple but effective on a small screen. It is easy for customers to navigate your app by confusing users with unnecessary design elements. This can be detrimental to your goals. A complicated design, for example, will make it more challenging to complete a purchase. This applies to both your mobile app’s design and its creativity.
7. Your CTAs should be consistent and simple
Consistent design elements, such as color schemes or copy, create a seamless user experience. It will make it easier for users to familiarize themselves with the mobile app and navigate to their preferred destination within the app. Your CTAs should be bold and short, inviting users to take action. This will increase conversions which can then be optimized through A/B testing.
8. Use push notifications and in-app messages to your advantage
Being mobile-first is a great advantage. Push notifications are a key benefit. This message can be sent directly from your mobile device to the user and will appear on their phone’s lock screen. To receive push notifications, your mobile users must opt-in. The number of users who wish to receive them will depend on the app vertical.
Another way to communicate with customers is through in-app messaging. This message can be very engaging. Mobile apps that use messaging in-app to communicate with their users see an increase of 61%-74% retention rates after Day 28.
9. Do not force screen rotation on the user
Remember, no obstacles. Rotation requires that the user uses both hands to perform simple, one-handed operations. If the other hand isn’t free, they will close the view and return later. Everything should fit in the vertical view.
10. Incorporate social media
Mobile-optimized websites should provide many ways to connect, share, and sync with your mobile devices. Users should be able to share everything on your website via social media. Quick share buttons for Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest reduce all steps to get the most relevant content to your social media pages.
Be a Thriving Business With a Mobile-First Design
The mobile-first approach has revolutionized most industries and business domains, even those that were the most resistant to innovation. Mobile-first businesses are more than just making their websites responsive and optimizing them for mobile devices.
They find that mobile-first development makes business sense because of the exceptional user experience. It’s what customers expect as it increases engagement and retention. It’s an effective revenue channel and a great source of crucial data.
Create a mobile experience that is seamless and enjoyable for your customers by focusing on their needs and ensuring it’s easy to use. Begin business transformation today with Denver SEO firm Advanced Digital Media Services. ADVDMS can help you get started with mobile-first thinking across all aspects of your business. Reap the full benefits of this strategy and get results. Call us.
