Mobile First

Mobile first is a principle that starts with designing websites for the smaller screen size (mobile devices) and progressively expand the design for larger screens size (desktop or tablets).

This approach prioritises the core content and functionality, focusing on what is essential given the limitations of smaller screens. The goal is to create a clean, user-friendly, and easily navigable interface across all screen sizes.

The Reason For Mobile First Design

• Improve SEO ranking

Search engines have adopted mobile-first indexing policies since the majority of internet traffic now comes from mobile devices. A mobile-first design ensures fast load times, a clear content structure, and responsiveness across devices, all of which contribute to improved SEO performance.

• Enhanced user experience

Focusing on core content allows users to easily find what they need while eliminating unnecessary features that could overwhelm the interface. This creates a cleaner, more efficient design. Additionally, optimising for mobile devices helps reduce loading times, a crucial factor since mobile users have slower internet speeds. By prioritising mobile-first, users enjoy a smoother, more intuitive browsing experience.

Best Practices for Mobile First

• Design for Touch

Remember that mobile users interact through touch. Ensure that buttons and links are easy to tap, with sufficient spacing around them to prevent accidental clicks.

• Easy to Navigate

Use a collapsible menu to maximize space, while ensuring users can easily jump to key pages, even on smaller screens.

• Readable Fonts

Choose appropriate font styles and sizes, along with adequate line height, to ensure that text is legible and user-friendly on mobile devices.

• Test on real mobile devices

Always test your design on actual mobile devices, not just emulators, to ensure the experience is seamless across different screen sizes and devices.