Mobile Optimisation: Why It Matters & How to Do It

Introduction

More than 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google prioritises mobile-friendly websites in search rankings. If your site isn’t optimised for mobile users, you could be losing visitors and potential customers. This guide will show you why mobile optimisation is essential and how to do it effectively.

Why Mobile Optimisation Matters

✅ Google’s Mobile-First Indexing – Google now ranks sites based on their mobile versions first.
✅ Better User Experience – A mobile-friendly site keeps visitors engaged.
✅ Higher Conversions – Mobile users expect fast, easy navigation to take action quickly.

1. Use a Responsive Design

A responsive website adjusts automatically to different screen sizes.

How to Ensure Responsiveness:

✅ Use a mobile-responsive theme if using WordPress.
✅ Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
✅ Avoid fixed-width layouts that don’t scale properly.

2. Improve Mobile Page Speed

Mobile users expect fast-loading pages. A slow site increases bounce rates.

Speed Optimisation Tips:

✅ Use compressed images to reduce load times.
✅ Enable lazy loading to delay images loading until needed.
✅ Minimise CSS, JavaScript, and unnecessary plugins.
✅ Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for faster loading.

3. Simplify Navigation & Buttons

Mobile users need easy-to-tap buttons and simple menus.

Best Practices:

✅ Use large, thumb-friendly buttons (at least 48×48 pixels).
✅ Ensure menus are easy to access and collapse neatly.
✅ Limit pop-ups – Google penalises intrusive mobile pop-ups.

4. Optimise Content for Mobile Users

Long paragraphs and dense text don’t work well on small screens.

Content Formatting Tips:

✅ Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max).
✅ Break up text with subheadings, lists, and images.
✅ Increase font size to at least 16px for readability.

5. Enable Mobile-Friendly Forms

Forms should be easy to fill out on small screens.

Mobile Form Tips:

✅ Use auto-fill fields to speed up input.
✅ Keep forms short and simple (ask only necessary details).
✅ Use dropdowns and checkboxes for easier selection.

Case Study: A Local Business Increased Sales by 40%

A London-based café saw a 40% increase in online orders after optimising their mobile site. They improved page speed, simplified navigation, and used mobile-friendly forms, making it easier for customers to order on the go.

Conclusion

Mobile optimisation isn’t optional—it’s essential for better rankings, user experience, and conversions. Start by testing your site, improving speed, and simplifying navigation to enhance your mobile presence.

Next Steps:

Run your site through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
Optimise images and speed up loading times.