A quick guide on making a site mobile friendly
Over the past decade, mobile users have begun to represent more and more of the global web traffic. Mobile traffic has doubled its share, climbing from around 30% in 2015 to over 60% in 2024. With such a large share of users, it is important for developers to design their sites with special attention on compatibility and ease of use on mobile devices.
Think Vertically
Unlike desktop screens, mobile displays are narrow and vertically oriented, meaning horizontal layouts with multiple columns can become a highly unpleasant experience. A single-column design is ideal, ensuring that text, images, and other elements stack neatly without forcing users to scroll sideways or zoom in. If necessary, more columns can be included, but really shouldn't go above 2, as it can be verry difficult to include all of them without destroying the legibility of their contents.
A vertical approach also improves scannability, helping users find information quickly. Lists, short paragraphs, and distinct sections keep content concise and digestible.
Use Larger Font Sizes
Small text can be difficult to read on mobile screens, so increasing the font size does a lot to improve usability. As a general rule, body text should be at least 16px, with headlines and important information even larger.
Headers are equally crucial: they provide visual hierarchy, guiding users through sections effortlessly. By using clear, bold headers, you break up dense information into structured, easy-to-read sections. This is particularly helpful for users scanning rather than reading every word.
Optimize Touch Interactions with Pointer Events
Mobile users rely on touchscreens, making traditional mouse-based interactions (such as hover effects) ineffective. Instead of designing around hover states or precise mouse clicks, use pointer events, which are more adaptable.
Pointer events recognize touch, stylus, and mouse inputs, making interactions smoother for all users—including those using assistive technologies. This ensures buttons, links, and interactive elements respond instantly without needing a cursor.
Ensure Visually Responsive Elements
A mobile-friendly site must adapt dynamically to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. This means:
- Using fluid grid layouts that resize automatically.
- Ensuring images are scalable and do not distort.
- Testing buttons and forms to guarantee they remain usable on smaller screens. CSS media queries allow developers to define specific rules for different screen sizes. Testing responsiveness across various devices prevents common issues, such as cut-off images, unreadable text, or misplaced buttons. Implementing sliding animations can also improve how responsive a site feels. A menu or other sidebar item that slides in correspondence with the user's swipe will help them to understand where the element is coming from, as well as how to access it.
Final Thoughts
A site that isn’t optimized for mobile risks losing engagement and frustrating a large portion of users. By prioritizing vertical layouts, legible fonts, touch-based interactions, and responsive design, developers create a seamless experience tailored to modern browsing habits.
Think of mobile optimization as essential, not optional—your users will thank you for it.
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