• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Services
    • New Website Development and Design
    • Website Updates, Maintenance, and Redesign
    • Web Consulting and Education
  • Portfolio
  • Website Tips & Resources
    • Articles on Websites and SEO
    • Successful Web Design Tips
    • Guide to Starting a New Website
  • About
    • Web Design Process
  • Contact

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

Websites for people who make a difference.

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

January 1, 2014 by Adam Barkafski

Is Your Website Mobile Friendly?

Is your website ready for smartphones and tablets?

If the majority of Americans are not using their smartphones and tablets as the primary device to surf the web, look up information, and make online purchases, they soon will be. We also know that people have always been fickle with websites: If visitors don’t think the website serves their purpose in a second or two, they’re off to the next website. The same is true if a website doesn’t function well in mobile devices.

Are you ready for the mobile world?

Mobile-friendly websites

I like to think of websites that are well prepared for visitors using mobile devices as “mobile friendly.” They have prepared to be seen and used on multiple devices. But what happens with a website that wasn’t designed with mobile in mind?

If your website is an older website, developed “back in the day” before these new devices…or if your website just wasn’t made with these devices in mind, chances are your website isn’t “broken.” It will probably work in mobile devices even if it isn’t really mobile friendly. What usually happens is that your website will shrink to fit inside the device’s screen. So if someone is viewing your site on a handheld phone, it will display all of three inches wide (or whatever the width of the screen is). The user will need to zoom in to read and use your site.

Mobile-friendly websites, however, think of these users and make sure that the user experience for the website is easy and efficient. Having to zoom, for example, should not be necessary to use the website in most cases.

There are typically two different kinds of mobile-friendly websites: mobile websites and responsive websites.

Mobile websites

Mobile websites were the first popular way to deal with mobile devices. Simply put, they are separate websites designed just for smartphones and tablets. When users go to a web address, some behind-the-scenes code determines that they are using a mobile device and directs them to the mobile version of the website. You can usually tell that it is a different website because it’s often simple with big buttons and some text. Other parts of the website have been stripped out.

They are sometimes easy to make if you’re using a platform like WordPress or an ecommerce service and you can install a simple plugin to make a mobile website for you. But they’re not without their problems, which is why I don’t generally recommend mobile websites as an option.

Basically, the main challenge comes from that there are really two versions of the same website. This can be a problem for SEO as content, links, and visitors can get split between two websites when you really want them on one. Furthermore, mobile websites can frustrate users when they don’t have access to all the information available on the main website, or if they follow a link to a particular page, but the website bumps them to the mobile version’s home page. Both do more harm than help to mobile visitors.

Responsive websites

Responsive websites, on the other hand, use only the main website. Like the name implies, these websites respond to the device being used. For example, a responsive website may change a horizontal menu into a dropdown menu if it can’t fit in the screen. Sidebars can also be moved to underneath the main content. There aren’t SEO problems because there’s only one website, and generally, users have access to any content they need on the website whether they’re on a computer or a smartphone. My website is an example of responsiveness in action.

Where do you go?

If it’s time for you to make your website mobile friendly, it will take time and effort to do it right. Of course, you could just use a plugin or ask a developer to just make it responsive, but you wouldn’t know how beneficial your site is to your target audience.

Instead, it’s a perfect opportunity to revisit the purpose of your website and the action you want your visitors to take (buy, subscribe, call, etc.). Since mobile screens are smaller, you need your purpose and call-to-action to shine. Think about how that needs to be conveyed, and work with your developer to plan your site with a mobile-first approach. The rest is just icing on the cake!

Filed Under: Web Design and Hosting Tagged With: Mobile, SEO, Usability, Web Design

About the author

Adam Barkafski has been designing websites since 1998. He founded Dream Seed Multimedia in 2006 to offer affordable web design specifically for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Since 2016, Adam works exclusively with WordPress websites for individuals who seek to make a positive difference.

Primary Sidebar

Need a new website?

Click here to learn what you need to do!

Articles to Help Improve Your Website

  • Internet and Technology
  • Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization and Website Marketing
  • Web Design and Hosting

Footer

I’m ready to help

Let's start your new website.

What people are saying

  • My needs and preferences were thoroughly assessed and listened to, which made drafts and concepts right the first time and made the whole project flow smoothly.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • Adam, you are great! You listened to what we wanted, and you produced it. We are extremely happy with the website! We will definitely come to you for all our website needs.
    Ronda Brubaker-Brooks, Beaver Creek Farm Cabins
  • Adam took the time to learn my business and to answer all my questions to help me learn how my website operates. Great job! Thanks!
    Bob Sims, Steel Expressions
  • You taught us so much, but the biggest thing was holding our hands through the process! You were awesome! We get great reviews on our website.
    Jody Sambrick, Red Rose Coffee Roasters
  • I truly felt my website and my business were as important to Adam as they are to me.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • It has been a pleasure working with Adam. All my questions were always answered and our requests completed. Customer service is excellent, and the overall experience was very positive. We will definitely refer Adam to our coworkers and friends!
    Evelyn Billings, Billings Bilingual
  • Adam treats me like a friend and always takes the time to listen to me and understand my needs. I never feel like I have only two minutes to say what I need to.
    Linda Fisher, Wings of Angels
  • Thank you so much for your hard work and keeping our website up to date. We are so fortunate to be able to do business with you!
    Nadinne Ziegler, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
  • You worked hard to fit my needs when others proposed more expensive unneeded elements. Thanks for all your hard work and advice. You do an excellent job!
    Lance Noel, Spinning Moon Press
  • Not only has Adam been extremely helpful during the building of our site and in helping us to maintain it, but he has gone out of his way to provide ongoing assistance, tips, and education designed to help us succeed.
    Jennifer Murray, Bournelyf Special Camp
  • Adam’s professionalism and clear communication throughout the project made for an efficient and effective web development process.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • You helped me through some confusing decisions and pointed out some important considerations that I hadn't thought of. I've gotten nothing but positive comments on the site. Thank you!
    N. Dianne Gadbois, Hana Bento
  • I am so impressed with Adam’s communication and can-do attitude! This project was a complete success, and I am so happy with the end result!
    Barbara Hostetler, HostetlerBenefits
  • You do create something from nothing, or at least from just a sketch on a page and create something ‘magical.’ You’ve taken our website ideas and made them come to life, and I just can’t thank you enough!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ
  • No problem is too large or small…thank you for finding an answer to them all!
    Michelle Miller, Wheatland Custom Homes
  • Adam Barkafski is SUPER DUPER who is very interested in learning about his clients, their likes and dislikes. Working with Adam to create a website for my church was so easy. He is fun to work with and has some very good ideas and suggestions. Website updates are done very quickly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ

Get in touch

  • Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant
  • Adam Barkafski
  • Email here
  • business 717-723-8680
  • P.O. Box 423
    Smoketown, PA 17576 United States

More

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Site Map

Copyright © 2021 Adam J. Barkafski and his licensors. All rights reserved.