Why do mobile devices matter?
- Thanks to Google’s “mobilegeddon” algorithm, sites that are optimized for mobile devices are favored for mobile searches.
- Mobile searches now account for more than half of all searches on Google.
- If you don’t have a mobile-optimized site, a frustrated customer is five times more likely to abandon it very soon.
Web Accessibility and Usability
If your site is not mobile-friendly, it can be difficult to view and use your site on mobile devices. Such a site may not display properly or forces users to constantly zoom in on content to read it. Some users may find this a frustrating experience and leave the site immediately. However, if the user finds the information they need on the site immediately, the site is clear and displays correctly, the user stays and in the case of an offer of services or goods, they also find it easier to become your customer.
Technical customization and data size of elements
A large number of mobile devices visit your website with mobile internet. Most plans are limited by data cap, thus a display without unnecessary design elements, physically large images and so on is desirable. A well adapted mobile site should be accessible even when using a slow mobile connection.
What is the possible solution?
How to approach the accessibility of a website on different devices? You can choose from three options:
- Two “separate” sites
- One responsive website
- Standard website
Two “separate” sites
This solution displays a different (mobile) version of the website on mobile devices than on a computer. The website itself detects on which device the site will be displayed and accordingly has the corresponding version of the site displayed. You can usually switch between versions by clicking on “view mobile version” or “view desktop version”.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Significantly less data is transferred
+ User interface and usability optimization
+ Can switch between mobile and traditional web versions
– Higher price. You basically have to have two websites created
– Device recognition errors (mostly on tablets)
Responsive Web
On mobile devices, the same version of the site is the same as on a computer, only it will display differently based on the size of the display area. It is usually not possible to switch between versions, the correct customized version will be displayed automatically based on the width of the browser window.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Slightly less data is transferred than with a traditional website.
+ Better optimization in terms of user interface and usability.
+ Lower purchase price than a “separate site”
+ Possibility to have several levels of responsiveness (for different resolutions)
– More data is transferred than a purely mobile site. This can cause longer loading times on slower connections.
– The server always provides the same content to all devices.
Standard Web
One “regular classic” website, but accessible on all devices. It is designed to be fully functional and usable on mobile and tablet devices. Unlike a responsive site, it displays exactly the same and does not adjust to the width of the display in any way.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Lowest purchase price
+ Uniform display
– Not optimized for convenient use on mobile devices
– Need to zoom in and out of view.
– The same amount of data is transferred when displayed on a mobile device as on a traditional computer.
We are happy to help you choose the right solution for your website. You need to analyze your visitors and their devices, along with their needs. If you are thinking about adapting your website for mobile devices, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer customized solutions!