Let me tell you the story of one of the biggest grocery chains in the world: Walmart, Canada.
In 2016, Walmart realized that its website did not convert much orders via mobiles. It knew that smartphones were becoming more and more prevalent. Hence, it had to do something. So they did something about it. They optimized their website design to create a more responsive and personalized design just for smartphone screens.
And now they’re reaping their harvest.
After launching this responsive design, Walmart Canada saw a 98% increase in mobile orders!
So, why did this happen?
Why is a Mobile Responsive Website important?
The experience of surfing a website on a desktop is completely different from swiping through one on a mobile device. For one of the most apparent reasons, both the screen sizes differ. So, the content has to be organised accordingly.
The way you swipe through the website, from one menu to another and from one page to another, is also different. So, to sum it up in a more easy-to-understand way, we have created a table for you.
Aspect
Mobile Website Design
Desktop Website Design
Screen Size & Layout
Designed for small screens (320×480 to 768×1024). Prioritizes single-column layouts, with larger elements for easier touch interaction.
Designed for larger screens (1024×768 and up), allowing for multi-column layouts and more complex designs.
Content Prioritization
Focus on essential features, often time-sensitive or location-based. Strips away non-essential information.
It can display a broader range of content and information, given the larger screen space.
Navigation
Primarily vertical, often using hamburger menus or bottom navigation bars. Focus on simplicity and quick access.
Horizontal navigation with menu bars at the top. More complex hierarchical menus and links are common.
Interaction
Optimized for touch (finger taps, swipes). Buttons, tabs, and bars are larger and easier to interact with.
Optimized for mouse and keyboard. Links and buttons can be smaller and more precise.
Graphics and Images
Fewer promotional graphics to reduce load times and clutter. You need to focus on graphics more.
It uses more graphics for promoting and banners. High-quality images are often displayed.
Links & Hypertext
Limited use of hypertext. Links are converted into large buttons or icons for easier tapping.
Standard hypertext links are more common since mouse clicks offer precision.
Loading Speed
Lightweight, optimized for fast load times on slower mobile networks. May use AMP or other performance techniques.
Can handle larger files and media. Less focus on speed since users are typically on faster, stable connections.
Contextual Navigation
Rarely uses contextual navigation due to limited space. Prioritizes global navigation to prevent user confusion.
Uses both global and contextual navigation with detailed hierarchical paths, like breadcrumbs.
Progress Indicators
Generally avoids using progress indicators to save space. Uses descriptive buttons instead.
Frequently employs progress indicators to guide users through multi-step processes.
Footer Design
Minimal footers, usually containing essential links (contact, about, legal) in a compact format.
Larger footers with extensive quick links or supplementary information.
Location Services
Frequently leverages geolocation for personalized search and services (e.g., store locators).
Limited use of geolocation, although still possible with permission.
Integration with Device
Integrated with phone features (calling, texting, GPS). Allows users to make direct calls or receive messages.
Lacks direct integration with device features like calling or texting.
Breadcrumbs
Rarely used, as mobile designs aim to minimize deep navigation.
Common on desktop sites to show users their navigation path and help them backtrack easily.
What’s next for you?
As people use mobile phones more and more to surf the internet, it is important to create a design that soothes and is easy to navigate on mobile screens. That’s why more companies are optimizing their websites for smartphones to become more and more mobile responsive. Google’s Mobile-First Index also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites for ranking. This makes it of utmost importance for all websites to prioritize making responsive design for user experience and SEO.
So, make the leap towards prioritizing SEO and conversions over ease. Creative Agencyy (Best UI/UX Design agency in Noida) has experience delivering responsive, user-centric designs that meet modern needs and drive results. Contact us today!
