The term mobile-first was coined ten years ago by then Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Mobile-first design is a way of designing apps or websites first on smaller screens, i.e., mobiles, and then expanding to larger screens. Improving the user interface and giving a good user experience is the main reason for using a mobile-first approach.
This helps UX designers to focus on the central aspect, i.e., content for the applications. The rise of smartphone users, coupled with the decline of desktops, prioritizes the mobile-first design. Read the article to the end to know more about how to build a mobile-first website and application, and don’t forget to check the link above, as there is an article written by proven market experts Topflightapps.
How to build a mobile-first website
Most of the developers follow the user-centric design paradigm that focuses on the user’s needs and then builds a corresponding solution and experience, whether it is for mobiles, desktops, tablets, etc. You can use a couple of tricks to create a mobile-first framework to enhance users’ experience.
Accelerated Mobile pages
These are specially designed google-supported pages that load fast and can be stored in the cache of Google. It is an HTML framework, an open-source which creates web pages smoothly and keeps the user experience a priority. Creating accelerated mobile pages is easy as it reduces the code complexity.
Javascript and HTML
If you want to create a simple mobile website, this is the most suitable way to do it. Building a mobile website using CSS, Javascript, and HTML gives your users a pure web experience. Use this method if your website does not need to carry any app features.
Progressive web apps
This application software is created using standard web technologies, including HTML, CSS, or javascript. This enables the website to be used as an application in mobiles. It narrows down the difference between the web-based and applications and provides users with a unique experience. Progressive web apps include limited use of mobile hardware and other features such as location, notifications, camera, etc.
Benefits of the mobile-first approach
More focus on content
The mobile-first design gives the desktop or tablet versions of your website a more polished and simplified look. The screen should display the contents clearly so that the users find what they are looking for easily.
The mobiles have less space, so the users may easily find the features while the desktops have more space. The new features added in large screen versions might confuse the customers. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to use a mobile-first design to focus primarily on the content.
Valuable and feasible
The mobile-first design of websites has become a necessity in the mobile age. The improved user experience will enhance the engagement with other people and expand the reach of products, resulting in revenue growth.
Improves reach and visibility
Users tend to use the web more on smartphones than on desktops due to the simplicity and ease to use. If the users find your mobile website satisfying, they might come back again and use your website regularly on mobile phones. Website owners need to optimize their sites for the smaller screens.
Easy navigation
When the developers design websites, they add some items to the menu. The user can easily navigate through the site and get to their destination. Drop-downs have been removed as they are problematic in desktops or tablet versions. They do not work smoothly on mobiles due to a lack of rollover function.
Disadvantages of mobile-first web app
Restricted workflow- Web developers find the designing of websites difficult when starting from mobiles. Due to the restricted space, few resources and smaller screens cause hurdles in creating a mobile website.
Wireframe- The customers need a demo of their website before they sign off on the design. This can cause confusion and frustration because they won’t be able to see the desktop version till the end of the process. This path requires a lot of trust between the customer and the developer.
Final words
Mobile-first design is not an addition but a requirement. The one-size-fits-all model of this design is optimized to fit all the constraints of mobile devices. Smartphones make the most of the internet traffic; hence opting for the mobile-first model is an excellent approach to ensure that all the browsing requirements are fulfilled. We hope that you find this article informative and helpful.
