In this four-part series about website design, we highlighted the elements your client expects to see in your website, why simple navigation is a must, and how well-written content and a great website design are like bread and butter in the website world – better together. It’s only right to spotlight mobile-friendly and responsive websites to wrap up this series about web design. Before jumping in, let’s take a look at the difference between mobile friendly and responsive websites:
A mobile-friendly website is basically a copy of your website that is scaled to size. While this helps people who visit your site on their mobile devices, it isn’t 100% catered to usability. The “pinch and zoom” method may still be necessary to view pictures or click on links. Although being mobile-friendly should not be the ultimate goal for your website, it is a non-negotiable if a responsive website design is unattainable.
A responsive website adapts to the size and specifications of the mobile device. Because there is less room on a cellphone versus a desktop computer, a responsive website may omit certain non-essential images or funnel the website’s content into a single column instead of four. A responsive website optimizes the user experience.
Let’s highlight a few benefits of responsive and mobile-friendly website designs, and discover how we can help your company succeed:
Responsive Website Designs Provide Seamless Transition Across Multiple Devices
Gone are the days where your desktop computer uses your phone line to connect to the internet, and no one can make or receive a phone call until you log out. Now, there are internet-friendly devices in all shapes and sizes that every family member can use simultaneously. Because of this, it’s vital that your website (and its capabilities) can seamlessly transition across these internet devices to optimize the user experience.
Because of our on-the-go lifestyle, Americans are utilizing their mobile device more than ever to search for a solution to their problem. Your website must be able to meet – and aid – them where they are, as if they were at home and browsing on their desktop computer. Without the ability to transition your website onto a new device to better serve your visitor, your website is working against you. Don’t let your own website be a source of competition for your company’s success! Prioritize a responsive website right now. (Really, give us a call: 478-621-4491.)
Responsive Website Designs Improve Mobile Conversion Rate
Getting traffic to your website is important but, ultimately, you want your visitors to take action! Having a responsive website design will improve your mobile conversion rate. A conversion is any desired action you want your visitor to make. This can take many forms such as signing up for your eNewsletter, purchasing a product, clicking on an advertisement, submitting contact info, or requesting services.
You can figure out your website’s conversion rate by taking the total numbers of those who completed the desired action and dividing it by the overall number of website visitors. Then, convert that number into a percentage. For example, if 1,000 people visited your website in one week and 50 of them clicked on your latest advertisement, your conversion rate for that week is 5% (50/1,000).
A typical conversion rate falls around 10%, and a bad conversion rate is 3% or less. What contributes to a bad conversion rate? Here are a few factors:
- Confusing call-to-actions
- Mediocre copy
- Misidentified target audience
- Unnecessary steps
Good news – these factors are 100% avoidable! If you have questions about responsive website designs or our approach to building your website to attract visitors, call us: 478-621-4491.
Mobile-Friendly Websites Rank Better in Search Engines
A mobile-friendly website isn’t only to benefit your customer, although that is a good enough reason. Having a mobile-friendly website ranks better in search engines. Six years ago, Google Search Central released an official statement addressing their new algorithm:
“As more people use mobile devices to access the internet, our algorithms have to adapt to these usage patterns … Starting April 21, [2015,] we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.”
Simply put, if your website is not mobile-friendly, it will not rank as well on search engine results compared to other mobile-friendly websites. We have to say, though, a mobile-friendly website is acceptable … a responsive website is best.
M&R Marketing Can Create a Stunning Website Design for Your Company
A website design that is adaptable to all devices is a non-negotiable if you seek success and profit for your business. Our team of web developers work closely with our graphic designers to create a stunning, high-quality, user-friendly website for our clients. If your website is outdated or you don’t have one at all, partner with us. Give us a call with your questions: 478-621-4491.
If you missed parts one, two, and three of our website design marketing series, make sure you check them out:
- Part 1 – 3 Website Design Elements that Your Client Expects to See
- Part 2 – Why Simple Navigation is a Must in Your Website Design
- Part 3 – How Informative, Well-Written Content Optimizes Your Website Design
- Part 4 – Why Your Website Design Must Be Responsive or at Least Mobile-Friendly
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