In today’s mobile-first world, a website that doesn’t function flawlessly on smartphones and tablets is a recipe for disaster. (Also, google literally doesn’t care about your desktop version when it comes to SEO…sad, but true). But between responsive design and the limitations of smaller screens, crafting the perfect mobile layout can be tricky. Here are 10 common mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Ignoring Responsive Design: This is the cardinal sin. Your website absolutely must adapt to different screen sizes. A one-size-fits-all approach leads to frustration for mobile users. This is one of THE top reasons I exclusively design websites on the Showit platform. Get one month free using my referral code here!
2. Tiny Text and Touch Targets: Forget cramming in paragraphs of microscopic text. Mobile users need fonts big enough to read comfortably, and buttons and links should be large and easy to tap.
3. Image Overload: Large, unoptimized images take forever to load and drain data. Use high-quality images but ensure they’re compressed for mobile viewing. Consider using vector graphics (SVGs) for icons and logos that scale perfectly.
4. Flash and Fancy Interactions: Mobile users are on the go – complex animations and interactive elements slow things down. Keep it simple and focus on a clean, user-friendly experience.
5. Neglecting Navigation: Don’t hide your navigation behind a tiny hamburger menu. Make it readily accessible and intuitive, with clear labels for each section. If you use a hamburger menu (which is fine!) make sure it is large enough to easily click on, and when the menu opens – have it take up the whole phone screen.
6. Unoptimized Forms: Lengthy forms with small input fields are a nightmare on mobile. Streamline forms, minimize required fields, and consider auto-fill options. Keep your forms simple – at least the first time around. Use a simplified version to weed out clients that aren’t a good fit, then you can email ones that are a good match a more in-depth form after they’ve completed the simple one on your site.
7. Pop-Ups and Intrusive Ads: Pop-ups that block content or intrusive ads are a surefire way to annoy mobile users. If you must use them, make sure they’re mobile-friendly and easy to close.
8. Forgetting Whitespace: Cramming elements together creates a cluttered mess. Use strategic white space to separate content, improve readability, and guide the user’s eye. Add a little extra space between each section or canvas on each page.
9. Inaccessible Color Contrast: Ensure adequate color contrast between text and background for optimal readability, especially for users with visual impairments. You can assess how accessible color contrast is using coolors.co handy tool!
10. Not Testing on Real Devices: Don’t rely solely on emulators. Test your mobile layout on a variety of real devices with different screen sizes and operating systems to identify and fix any issues.

By avoiding these mistakes and prioritizing a user-friendly mobile experience, you’ll ensure your website reaches its full potential and keeps visitors engaged on the go.

Written by Carrie Bondioli, CEO of Bloem Creations, Web Designer & CopyWriter

Bloem Creations is a web design studio and copywriting service based in Eugene, OR and specializes in serving creative small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.