Cellphones have done more than just revolutionize the way we communicate with each other; they’ve also revolutionized the way we use the internet. Mobile users now account for more than half of all internet traffic. That statistic is expected to rise, and with it, the need for mobile-centric design. If your website isn’t mobile-ready, you’re not just behind the times—you’re already being penalized. That’s because two years ago Google switched their search engine algorithms from ranking your website based on a user’s desktop experience to prioritizing the mobile user experience. If your website isn’t optimized for small screen sizes, not only will your search engine ranking take a significant hit, you’re also neglecting the majority of potential customers trying to access your online content.
“It’s all about user experience in 2019,” says Ashley Walters, digital marketing expert with Advantage iTs. “Websites that work and work well on phones are going to beat out the competition, both in real-time traffic and in overall search engine ranking.” So how can you capitalize on the latest trends? Here are four mobile-centric web design trends you can implement today:
Four Mobile-centric Web Design Trends in 2019
1. Responsive Design
Responsive websites can detect what kind of devices are accessing them and grow or shrink according to screen size. Websites that neglect to use responsive design create unnecessary obstacles for users, like forcing them to decipher tiny text meant for a large monitor on a 320×480 pixel screen size or making them scroll horizontally to view content. Many desktop-only websites break entirely, rendering them inaccessible to most would-be customers. If you do nothing else on this list, implementing responsive design will do more for your bottom line than anything else.
2. The Universal Drop Down Menu
Back when desktop websites were king, web designers frequently experimented with avant-garde navigational menus with a focus on the visual experience. While many of these designs were flashy and animated, they didn’t translate well onto mobile screen sizes. Most websites now use the universally recognized icon of three lines for their mobile drop-down menus, and for good reason. Using a small icon instead of a long row of links saves precious space, and everyone knows what to expect when they click on that icon. Menus don’t have to be overly complex. In fact, many websites now use this navigation icon for all versions of their website, and that’s just fine. Users want to get to information quickly. Ensuring your mobile website conforms to industry standards will help them navigate your site more efficiently.
3. Minimalist Design
With limited space to work with, website designs are becoming more and more minimalist by necessity. And with so many people on limited data plans, it makes sense to go light on videos, audio effects, and excessive plugins and scripts. Not only will your customers appreciate not sacrificing their data to unnecessary elements, but your site will also load faster, boosting your Google rank.
4. Touch-Enabled Features
With so many devices having touch screens, it makes sense to add this functionality to your website. Need a rotating gallery on your website? Why not choose a plugin with touch-swipe capabilities? Need to display your phone number? Why not make it dial when someone taps the link? These small details can improve user experience and set you apart from your competition.
Learn More About Mobile-Centric Web Design Trends
If you’re not sure where you stand, contact Advantage IT today and get a free web consultation. Our experts will analyze your site and make free recommendations about how to make the most of mobile-centric design trends.
