Accommodating the mobile user experience has been crucial to good web design for some time. And, indeed, most websites are now at least responsive. However, as mobile device usage continues to increase, many web designers are going one step further. Websites are now being designed for mobile-first and desktops second.
Relegating the desktop to second place might seem a drastic move. But mobile device usage now accounts for almost 60% of all internet usage. And there are some unexpected additional advantages of designing sites from the ground up for mobile devices, too.
So, you might be wondering at this point, what’s wrong with a responsive or adaptive design? And how does mobile-first differ significantly from the old ways of making a site mobile-friendly? Here’s a rundown of how responsive and mobile-first design approaches differ. And some examples of the benefits of the mobile-first approach to designing a website.
Responsive Vs. Mobile-First – What’s the Difference?
What is Adaptive Web Design?
An adaptive design employs various static layouts of a website designed for a range of specific screen sizes. When a user lands on an adaptive site, the user’s screen size is detected, and the appropriate layout is selected and displayed.
What Is Responsive Web Design?
The layout of a responsive website is fluid, and the site changes in appearance to fit the device. So, there are no multiple, fixed layouts of the site; instead, the single layout changes to fit the screen size. Responsive design has, to date, become the most prevalent way to make websites mobile-friendly.
What Is Mobile-First Web Design?
A website is likely to be initially designed for a desktop computer first when adaptive and responsive web design approaches are used. So, both responsive and adaptive sites “adapt” a desktop layout to mobile devices.
However, a mobile-first website is designed based on the assumption that the site will be viewed on a mobile device. So, the page is not scaled down to fit a mobile screen. Instead, the design scales up for desktop users.
The mobile-first design approach puts the mobile user’s needs first. Indeed, the principal premise of the design methodology is that the website should be designed for the smallest screen a user is likely to use. So, all the constraints and limitations of a smaller screen are prioritized in the site’s layout.
What Are the Benefits of Mobile-First?
Putting mobile usability at the forefront of web design makes sense as more and more people use such devices to access the web. However, the mobile-first approach is not without its disadvantages. But, first, here are the benefits of designing websites primarily for mobile device use.
Better Suited to Most Users
More than 50% of people use mobile devices to access the web. So it makes sense to prioritize those users. And the first crucial benefit of a mobile-first approach to web design is that it will appeal to most users. Quite simply, it no longer makes sense to base the entire design of a site around a device that is waning in popularity.
Futureproofs a Web Site
No one can predict the future direction of technology with any certainty. However, it is safe to assume that there will be new devices with varying screen sizes. So, designing a responsive website to fit the smallest screen will limit the need for a redesign later. But, at the same time, the site will also remain compatible with older devices.
Improves the User Experience
A website designed primarily for desktop use can be slow on a desktop and be awkward to use. There can also be a tendency to over complicated things when designing for desktops. However, simplicity is essential when developing a site or app for a mobile device. So, the user experience is simplified and improved for both mobile and desktop users.
Faster Page Loads
The simplicity of a mobile-first designed site also improves page load speeds. So, the user experience is enhanced, and search engine optimization is improved. Even if you modify the mobile format of a site designed for desktops, the unwanted content may still be loaded, which would slow down the site.
Ensures Focused Content
Designing websites with mobile devices in mind forces designers to focus on the critical elements of the content. As a result, mobile-first sites tend to be cleaner and more straightforward to use. So, there is less likely to be unnecessary content that could slow down the site and distract the user.
Fewer Bugs
The very essence of a mobile-first site is simplicity. And a simple site is less likely to contain any bugs. When you begin with the simple mobile code, you can be sure that the mobile version of the site will be bug-free. However, when you scale down a website designed for desktops, bugs can often appear in the mobile version.
What Are the Disadvantages of Mobile First?
As described above, the mobile-first design approach has many advantages. However, this method of designing a website also poses some challenges for developers. Here are some of the potential drawbacks of developing a site using the mobile-first approach.
Mobile-First Is a Significant Change of Approach
The methodology requires a whole new way of thinking and a different approach to web design. So, designing a mobile-first website can be a challenging change of practice for a web developer. Indeed, many web designers have said that web design is neither fun nor easy.
Less Space Means Less Creativity
There is less space available for a mobile-first website. And that space limitation can make it feel like there are fewer opportunities for creativity. A mobile-first website is more about functionality than the bells and whistles. So, the initial stages of the development process might be frustrating for some more creative developers.
Conclusion
Adopting a mobile-first approach should lead to a better mobile user experience. And, with the prevalence of mobile devices, taking that approach makes sense. However, starting the design process with the least space and resources is challenging. And some would say that paring down a site for mobile devices is more straightforward than building from mobile to desktop. Nevertheless, the significant benefits of mobile-first web design are likely to outweigh the disadvantages on most web development projects.
