In today’s world, mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives. It’s not surprising that people use their mobile devices to access websites more often than their desktop computers. According to Statista, mobile devices account for over 52% of website traffic globally. This means that more than half of all website visitors are accessing websites on mobile devices.
This shift in behavior has significant implications for website owners and businesses. In order to cater to this growing trend, it is important to have a mobile responsive website that provides an optimal browsing experience for mobile users.
As mentioned earlier, mobile devices account for over 52% of website traffic globally. However, this trend is even more pronounced in certain regions. For example, in Asia Pacific, mobile devices account for over 60% of website traffic, and in Africa, it’s over 65%. This means that for businesses operating in these regions, having a mobile responsive website is even more critical.
Moreover, this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. According to a report by Zenith, mobile devices are expected to account for 61% of global internet advertising expenditure by 2024. This highlights the growing importance of mobile devices in the online ecosystem.
What is a mobile responsive website?
A mobile responsive website is a website that is designed to adapt to the screen size of the device on which it is being viewed. This means that the website adjusts its layout and content to fit the screen size of the device. This ensures that the website is easy to navigate, read, and interact with, regardless of the device being used.
Why is a mobile responsive website important?
1, Mobile devices are the most popular way to access the internet
As mentioned earlier, mobile devices account for over 52% of website traffic globally. This means that if your website is not optimized for mobile devices, you could be missing out on a significant number of potential visitors.
2. Mobile responsive websites improve user experience
User experience is critical for the success of any website. In fact, 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience (Source: Gomez). A mobile responsive website ensures that visitors can easily navigate and interact with the website regardless of the device they are using. This can lead to increased engagement, longer sessions, and ultimately, higher conversion rates.
Moreover, a mobile responsive website can improve specific metrics related to user experience. For example, mobile users are 5 times more likely to abandon a task if the website is not optimized for mobile devices (Source: Google). Similarly, mobile users are 9% more likely to stay on a website if it is mobile responsive (Source: Google).
3. Mobile responsive websites improve search engine ranking
Google has made it clear that mobile friendliness is a critical factor in determining search engine ranking. In fact, in 2015, Google updated its algorithm to give preference to mobile responsive websites. This means that websites that are not optimized for mobile devices are likely to rank lower in search engine results pages (SERPs) than those that are mobile responsive.
Moreover, a mobile responsive website can improve specific metrics related to search engine ranking. For example, mobile users are 50% more likely to click through to a website if it appears at the top of mobile search results (Source: Google).
4. Mobile responsive websites improve brand reputation
A mobile responsive website is now seen as a basic requirement for any business or brand. A website that is not optimized for mobile devices can give the impression that the business or brand is outdated or not keeping up with current trends. On the other hand, a mobile responsive website can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Moreover, a mobile responsive website can improve specific metrics related to brand reputation. For example, 48% of users say that if a website is not mobile-friendly, they take it as an indication that the business simply does not care (Source: MarginMedia). Similarly, 62% of companies that designed a website specifically for mobile devices reported increased sales (Source: Econsultancy).
Data supporting the importance of mobile responsive websites
- Mobile devices account for over 52% of website traffic globally. (Statista)
- 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing, and 40% will visit a competitor’s site instead. (Google)
- 48% of users say that if a website is not mobile-friendly, they take it as an indication that the business simply does not care. (MarginMedia)
- 88% of consumers who search for a type of local business on a mobile device call or go to that business within 24 hours. (Nectafy)
Conclusion
The data is clear – mobile devices are the most popular way to access the internet, highlighting the growing importance of mobile devices in accessing the online world. Therefore, having a mobile responsive website is no longer an option, but a necessity. A mobile responsive website can improve user experience, search engine ranking, and brand reputation, ultimately leading to higher engagement, longer sessions, and increased conversion rates. As such, businesses must ensure that their websites are mobile responsive to cater to the needs of their mobile visitors and stay competitive in the online landscape.
