There is no question that having a website is essential in today’s business world. You need to maintain an online presence to compete with other businesses, regardless of your industry or how many brick-and-mortar locations you might have. But what’s even more vital than just having a website is making sure your website is accessible to every potential customer — including those using mobile devices.

Mobile usage has exploded tremendously in recent years, and there is no sign of it slowing down. It is now surpassing desktop usage in many parts of the world. This means that if your website isn’t explicitly designed and maintained for mobile users, you could be missing out on a huge portion of your potential customer base.

Some of today’s most compelling reasons to make sure your website is mobile-friendly include:

1. Mobile internet usage is continuing to grow at an alarming rate.

With more people using mobile devices to access the internet, it signals a major shift in how people consume information. Rather than only being able to communicate and consume content when they’re at their desktops, people now expect to be able to do so anywhere and at any time. This trend opens up a whole new world of possibilities for businesses — but only if they can take advantage of it.

Tips to make your website mobile-friendly:

  • Use responsive design: This is the simplest way to ensure your website looks great on any size screen.
  • Avoid Flash: While Flash might make your website look cool, it doesn’t work on most mobile devices. This means your site will be unviewable to a large portion of your potential audience.
  • Make sure your content is easy to read: Mobile users typically look for quick, easily digestible information, so your content needs to be clear and concise.
  • Use large buttons: Small buttons can be challenging to press on a small screen. Make it easy for mobile users to navigate your site using large, easily clickable buttons.

2. Mobile-friendly websites are essential for SEO purposes.

One of the main ranking factors that Google considers when determining where a website should appear in its search results is whether or not the site is mobile-friendly. This means that if you haven’t designed your site to be used on a mobile device, it could be at a severe disadvantage when it comes to being found by potential customers. Google does this because it wants to provide the best possible experience, including finding websites that can be easily accessed and used on any device.

Tips to make your website mobile-friendly for search engine optimization (SEO):

  • Use mobile-friendly URLs: Rather than long, complicated URLs that can be difficult to type out on a mobile device, use shorter, more direct URLs that are easy to remember.
  • Ensure that your site loads quickly: Mobile users typically look for quick, easily digestible information. If your site takes a long time to load, it’s likely that they’ll click away before they can see what you have to offer.

3. Mobile-friendly websites offer a better user experience.

Let’s face it — trying to navigate a website that wasn’t designed for a mobile device can be incredibly frustrating. If you’ve tried to zoom in and out or scroll around on a website to find what you’re looking for, you know how frustrating it can be. This experience will immediately turn potential customers off, and they’ll likely take their business elsewhere. Capitalizing on mobile means giving your customers the best possible experience to keep them coming back.

Tips to make your website mobile-friendly for a better user experience:

  • Make sure your site is easy to navigate: A mobile-friendly website should be easy to navigate, with a simple, straightforward design that makes it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
  • Include large, easy-to-click buttons: Mobile users should be able to click on buttons and links on your website easily.

4. Mobile-friendly websites can help you increase sales and conversions.

Suppose you can offer a better user experience and make it easier for potential customers to purchase items from your website. In that case, it stands to reason that you would see an increase in sales and conversions. You want to take advantage of a potential buyer’s initial interest in your product and make it as easy as possible for them to follow through with a purchase. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, the chances that they will exit from your site and go to a competitor’s are much higher than deciding to wait and purchase from you later.

Tips to make your mobile website increase sales and conversions:

  • Make it easy for users to purchase items from your site: Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and large, easy-to-click buttons that lead users to your purchase page.
  • Make sure your purchase process is quick and easy: A lengthy, complicated purchase process will only serve to frustrate mobile users and cause them to abandon their purchase.

5. Mobile-friendly websites can help you better connect with your customers.

In addition to sales, another important metric that businesses should be tracking is customer engagement. If you can better connect with your customers and provide them with a positive experience, they will likely remain loyal to your brand. With a mobile-friendly website, you can take advantage of features like push notifications to help you stay top-of-mind with your customers and keep them engaged with your brand. Additionally, including social media sharing buttons will make it easy for users to share your content with their followers, helping you to reach a larger audience.

6. Mobile-friendly websites make it easier to collect data and track analytics.

To make informed decisions about your business, it’s crucial to have access to data and analytics. This information can help you understand what’s working well and what needs improvement. With a mobile-friendly website, you can take advantage of features like tracking codes and cookies to collect data about your website visitors and their behavior. This information can be extremely valuable as you work to improve your website and grow your business.

7. Mobile-friendly websites can help you save money.

If you’re not currently investing in a mobile-friendly website, you could miss out on many potential businesses. Not only that, but you could also be spending more money than you need to reach your target market. Mobile-friendly websites are more affordable to develop and maintain than separate mobile apps, so you’ll be able to save money in the long run by investing in a responsive website design.

8. Mobile-friendly websites can help you future-proof your business.

As more people use mobile devices to access the internet, it’s becoming essential for businesses to have a mobile-friendly website. If you don’t have a mobile-optimized website, you could be at a serious disadvantage in the years to come. By investing in a mobile-friendly website now, you can future-proof your business and ensure that you can stay ahead of the curve.

If you are ready to make your website more mobile-friendly and learn more about improving your digital marketing efforts, connecting with a reputable and experienced digital marketing agency is a great next step. This can ensure that your website is designed and developed correctly from the start and that you have access to the resources and expertise you need to grow your business in today’s mobile-first world.