Traditionally, mobile view has been the neglected little brother of web view. An afterthought, forever in the shadow of its widescreen, bells-and-whistles, more capable older sibling. Until 2021, that is. These days, you should be paying equal attention to both variants of your site – in fact, thanks to upcoming Google SEO changes, it’s possible you should shower your mobile view with a little more love. But more on that later.
Mobile Vs. Desktop
Simply put, users can view websites on a standard computer screen (web or desktop view) or on their smartphone. While the content on both versions of the site should be near-identical, there is an obvious difference in screen ratio. One is long and big, while one is small and tall, to put it very simply. This can drastically alter how content appears to your audience and, more importantly, how they interact with it.
Should I optimise my site for mobile view? Or should I optimise my site for web view? These two questions have been plaguing creators ever since smartphones became ubiquitous across the globe. While most opt for the latter, the former is becoming equally as, if not more important in the digital landscape. So how do you go about making the most of it?
How To Optimise Your Site For Mobile View
Simple: you implement a mobile-first philosophy. Current trends suggest that mobile has overtaken desktop viewing, having been on an upward trajectory for the last few years. Here are a few key points to keep in mind while considering the layout for your site.
1. Design your site with mobile in mind
Think about how your layout might transfer between desktop and mobile…and then prioritise mobile.
Which is more important: web view or mobile view? Artist’s representation of mobile view KO-ing its previously dominant elder sibling.
2. Optimise user experience
Make sure your images load quickly and that users can click through to your content easily. Enable lazy loading to expedite this process for your audience; people will click off a poorly designed mobile site if you give them half a chance. Run your page through Google’s mobile checker tool to see how you’re faring.
3. Test it out for yourself
You’d be surprised at how few people actually do this on their own mobiles. Also, listen to your audience! Reach out for feedback on your site and incorporate it into your strategy.
How To Optimise Your Site For Web View
When it comes to desktop viewing, many of the same rules apply. But as this is the format in which websites first originated, most sites are optimised for this by default. Just remember that people have less and less patience with technology as it evolves; make sure your page is optimised on both fronts!
Google’s 2021 Curveball
Something else to keep in mind; in March of this year, Google has said it will begin prioritising mobile sites in its SEO rankings, aligning with their continued dominance in the user charts. What this essentially means is that Google will be taking its ranking cues primarily from your mobile site – yet another reason to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
All in all, it’s crucial to optimise your sites for the old faithful web view as well as its upstart younger sibling, the mobile view. This is especially true in the e-commerce industry, where a bad site could mean the difference between a sale and a frustrated exit out of your page!
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Centre image by Victoria_Borodinova on Pixabay
Featured Image by RyanMcGuire on Pixabay
