Mobile-first e-commerce site: why is it so important?

Whether it's video conferencing, streaming, or online purchases, more than half of Internet traffic is now conducted via a mobile device

Despite this, many website and e-commerce site owners continue to prioritize desktop-centric design, unaware that with the increasing use of mobile devices, more and more people are choosing to make their purchases directly from their smartphones.

One of the reasons why it is necessary to focus on "mobile-first" design.

What is 'Mobile First'?

The retail landscape has radically changed with the rise of the smartphone. Indeed, mobile devices not only influence our purchasing behavior but also our decisions and even brand loyalty.

What is the connection between this new habit and 'mobile first'?

This term refers to a concept where websites are initially designed for smartphones and only later developed for desktop computers.

In the case of "mobile-first," initial design and testing are first focused on mobile functionality. This results in users enjoying a higher-quality experience than before

The "mobile first" approach is part of a methodology known as progressive enhancement, which suggests developing all features from the outset and supporting them across all browser versions.

That's why mobile-first design is transforming e-commerce with experiences that support omnichannel sales. By prioritizing mobile, mobile shoppers benefit from exceptional design and functionality, whether on a smaller or larger screen

Why design a mobile-centric e-commerce website

The "mobile-first" design offers numerous advantages: here's why considering this approach.

Economic strategy

The transition to mobile-first web design can save you time and money. Indeed, it's a universal solution for multi-platform user experiences. For instance, instead of creating a beautiful desktop website and then heavily adapting it to function with basic capability on mobile devices, you'll get an efficient and user-friendly site across all platforms from the get-go.

Opting for a mobile-first approach also promises to extend coverage to a larger number of people. While these strategies may seem costly in the short term, the added value of mobile features makes it a solid and profitable long-term investment.

Cross-platform responsiveness

A "mobile-first" website is compatible with various different platforms. This means that users can interact with the site's content from the platform that suits them best.

Most people access the internet from multiple devices. For example, they might browse on their desktop computer and make a purchase later on their tablet or smartphone. That's why having reliable cross-platform responsiveness is absolutely essential.

Improvement of SEO

Google has transitioned to mobile-first indexing. This means it uses the mobile version of your site for indexing and ranking content. If you already operate a website on WordPress or Shopify, , for instance, Googlebot will automatically use the mobile version of your site.

By providing a superior mobile experience, users are more likely to return regularly to your mobile-first site, enhancing visibility, relevance, and reach in the eyes of potential customers and search engines.

The optimal use of content.

The design for mobile devices encourages content creators to be more concise. When sentences are short, the text becomes clearer and easier for the reader to understand.

Lorsque nous concevons d’abord pour des écrans plus petits, nous sommes obligés de distinguer ce qui est important de ce qui n’est que du remplissage. Ce faisant, nous renforçons également la communication de notre marque.

Adding value to the customer experience.

The adoption of a "mobile-first" approach could be the first step in improving the user experience . Indeed, embracing mobile has become a fundamental aspect of the customer experience, and delivering high-quality services is key to customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The potential for high growth

We live in a world where mobile is king, so it's evident that mobile design is the path to higher growth potential.

One-click payment options, purchases directly on social networks, and increased use of apps are generating a mobile growth potential that will soon increase in value.

Conclusions

The future of design is 'Mobile-First': adopting such an approach presents enormous advantages. It is cost-effective, responsive, and offers exceptional growth potential. It's also the first step towards adopting a customer-centric attitude, which is crucial to staying competitive.

If you haven't yet designed your website or e-commerce platform with a "mobile-first" approach, now is the time to do so.