In today’s digital age, it’s essential for businesses to have a website that is accessible and easily navigable on all devices, including smartphones and tablets. A mobile-responsive website not only provides a better user experience for mobile users, but it can also help to improve search engine rankings and increase conversions. If you’re using WordPress as your website platform, there are several best practices that you should follow when designing and developing your mobile-responsive website.
1. Start with a Mobile-First Design Approach
When designing a mobile-responsive website, it’s important to start with a mobile-first approach. This means that you should design and develop the website for mobile devices first, and then add more advanced features for larger screens, such as desktops. A mobile-first approach helps to ensure that the website is accessible and easy to use on all devices and that the website’s content and functionality are prioritized for mobile users.
How to Implement Mobile-First Approach in Product Design?
Now let’s understand how designers can bring mobile-first responsive design into practice.
Let’s assume a web designer needs to work on a website for a restaurant. Since the designer needs to follow the mobile-first approach, they must think about what a user will expect from a restaurant website on a mobile device.
Designers must identify the primary things that an end-user is looking for while accessing a restaurant website on a mobile device. Given the user is on mobile, it would be safe to assume that they are mainly searching for – operating hours, exact location, and contact details (or click to call button given it’s mobile). On the basis of these assumptions, the page can be designed precisely as follows.
In the case of tablets, users have more space and probably more time to explore the website. Designers can leverage this by adding more functionalities or information regarding the food menu (images), or chef details as displayed below:
When it comes to desktops, web designers have all the required space to showcase more details. These details can include blog posts, images of party events recently hosted, the ambiance, or contact forms to promote the restaurant better.
Following the approach above will help designers build websites keeping the mobile audience in mind. Additionally, expanding functionalities for larger screen sizes will also be easy to accomplish for teams.
Common screen resolutions for Mobile:
- 360×800 (8.56%)
- 414×896 (6.95%)
- 360×640 (6.45%)
- 412×915 (4.77%)
- 390×844 (4.75%)
- 360×780 (4.56%)
- 375×667 (4.43%)
- 375×812 (4.35%)
- 360×760 (3.84%)
- 393×851 (3.56%)
- 393×873 (3.13%)
- 412×892 (2.74%)
- 428×926 (2.4%)
- 360×720 (2.23%)
- 385×854 (2.14%)
- 412×869 (2.14%)
- 414×736 (1.94%)
- 412×846 (1.78%)
- 360×740 (1.64%)
- 384×854 (1.3%)
Note, the shift of users from smaller screen sizes (393 *373) has dropped. Even though there is a drop, it’s a very critical mobile screen size to cater to, and a majority of the audience still persists there. Want to check how your website looks on this resolution? Test now.
According to the Worldwide Screen Resolution Stats (Sept 2021 – Sept 2022), the most common screen resolutions across mobile, desktop, and tablet are:
- 1920×1080 (9.94%)
- 1366×768 (6.22%)
- 360×640 (5.88%)
- 414×896 (4.21%)
- 1536×864 (3.94%)
- 375×667 (3.74%)
How do I make any responsive WordPress site mobile first?
If your site is already responsive and you want to convert it into mobile-first, there are 2 basic steps to follow. First of all, you need to write and create default styling for small screens.
Then, you need to add in a media query while using min-width and copy the default styling of your responsive template to that.
Based on the layout of your site, the layout styling can be something of this kind:
[css]header,
.main,
footer {
width: 96%;
max-width: 1000px;
margin: 10px auto;
clear: both;
}
.content {
width: 60%;
margin-right: 5%;
float: left;
}
.sidebar {
width: 35%;
float: right;
}[/css]
And as your site is responsive, this styling should also include media queries for smaller screens:
[css]@media screen and ( max-width: 500px ) {
header,
.main,
footer,
.content,
.sidebar {
width: 98%;
}
.content,
.sidebar {
float: none;
margin: 0 auto;
}
}[/css]
As you see, there are two blocks: one for desktop and one for mobile.
In order to replace it with mobile-first, delete both and start with a defining layout for small screens:
[css]header,
.main,
footer {
margin: 10px 1%;
}[/css]
Now, it’s time to create the media query using min-width.
[css]@media screen and ( min-width: 500px ) {
header,
.main,
footer {
width: 96%;
max-width: 1000px;
margin: 10px auto;
clear: both;
}
.content {
width: 60%;
margin-right: 5%;
float: left;
}
.sidebar {
width: 35%;
float: right;
}
}[/css]
As you can see, it is basically the same styling you had in your site’s responsive stylesheet. However, this rewriting and rearrangement in styling have to do with better mobile performance since the smaller devices now will neglect it instead of going through it and then running over it with the elements which have been added to the responsive media query.
Theoretically, we are done with switching to a mobile-first design. In specific cases, you might need additional adjustments and configuration to keep things running smoothly.
However, the whole process of making your WordPress site mobile first will not be an impassable road for you, even if you are not a seasoned web designer or developer.
2. Keep the Design Simple and Clean
When designing a mobile-responsive website, it’s important to keep the design simple and clean. Avoid clutter, and focus on providing a clear and easy-to-use interface. A simple and clean design not only looks better, but it also helps to improve the user experience, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for and complete tasks on the website.
There are several key elements to a clean and simple design, including:
Minimalism: A minimalistic approach to design involves using fewer elements and keeping the design simple. This means removing any distractions, such as excessive images, graphics, and clutter. The result is a design that is easy on the eyes, making it more user-friendly.
Consistency: Consistent design elements, such as typography, color scheme, and spacing, help to create a cohesive user experience. This consistency helps to create a sense of brand identity, making it easier for users to recognize your brand and navigate your website or app.
Clear Typography: Clear and easy-to-read typography is essential in a clean and simple design. It helps users understand the content, making it easier for them to navigate and find what they are looking for.
Accessibility: A clean and simple design should also be accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. This means using clear and concise language, ensuring that text is large enough to be easily read, and providing alternative options, such as audio descriptions, for users with visual impairments.
Functionality: A clean and simple design should also be functional, meaning that it should be easy to use and navigate. This means that all buttons, links, and other interactive elements should be easy to find and use, making it easy for users to complete tasks and find the information they need.
3. Optimize Images and Videos
Images and videos can greatly enhance the user experience, but they can also slow down the website and make it difficult to load on mobile devices. To ensure that your website is fast and accessible on all devices, it’s important to optimize images and videos by compressing them, using appropriate file formats, and using responsive design techniques to ensure that images and videos scale correctly on different devices.
Why Optimize Images and Videos?
Images and videos are essential elements of a website, but they can also be heavy and slow down the website’s load time. Optimizing images and videos can significantly improve the website’s performance and speed, resulting in a better user experience and search engine ranking.
Optimizing Images in WordPress
Compression: Compressing images reduces the file size without affecting the quality. You can use plugins such as
to compress images automatically as you upload them to your WordPress site.
Resizing: Resizing images to an appropriate size before uploading them to your website can significantly reduce their file size. You can use plugins like Resize Image After Upload to resize images automatically.
There is a nice online tool for image optimization and resizing
Proper formatting: Choosing the right image format is essential for image optimization. JPEG is suitable for photographs, while PNG is better for graphics and illustrations.
Speed up your website by serving WebP and AVIF images.
Here is a nice plugin to do that
Lazy loading: Lazy loading is a technique that only loads images when they are visible on the screen, which can improve the website’s performance. You can use plugins such as a3 Lazy Load to implement lazy loading on your WordPress site.
Optimizing Videos in WordPress
Hosting videos externally: Hosting videos on external platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo can significantly reduce the load time of your website. You can embed the videos in your WordPress site using the platform’s embed code.
Compression: Compressing videos reduces their file size and improves their load time. You can use video compression tools such as HandBrake to compress videos before uploading them to your website.
Proper format: Choosing the right video format is important for video optimization. MP4 is a widely supported format that provides good quality and compression.
4. Make Sure the Navigation is Easy to Use
Navigation is an important part of the user experience, and it should be easy to use on all devices, including mobile devices. When designing the navigation for your mobile-responsive website, consider using a simple and intuitive menu structure, and making sure that all links and buttons are large enough to be easily tapped on a small screen.
5. Use Plugins to Enhance Mobile Responsiveness
There are many plugins available for WordPress that can help to enhance the mobile responsiveness of your website. For example, you can use plugins to add mobile-specific features, such as mobile-friendly forms and click-to-call buttons. Additionally, you can use caching plugins, like
to help improve website speed and performance on mobile devices.
6. Consider the Loading Speed
Website loading speed is a critical factor when it comes to mobile responsiveness. A slow-loading website can be frustrating for users and can negatively impact their experience. To improve website loading speed, consider using a fast and reliable hosting provider, optimizing images, and using a content delivery network (CDN) to serve your website content from multiple locations. Additionally, consider using a performance optimization plugin to help reduce the size of your website and improve loading times. Don’t just minify & combine CSS/JavaScript files ending up with large, bloated, and slow-loading pages: Strip the “fat” first and get a faster website
Clean Your unwanted scripts
7. Utilize a Responsive Theme
Using a responsive theme can simplify the process of designing and developing a mobile-responsive website. A responsive theme provides a set of CSS and JavaScript files that can be used to quickly create a responsive website, without the need for custom coding. There are many responsive themes available, including popular options like Bootstrap, Foundation, and Materialize. Consider using a responsive theme to help simplify the design and development process and to ensure that your website.
Mobile-friendly WordPress themes
8. Test on Different Devices and Screen Sizes
Before launching your mobile-responsive website, it’s important to test it on a variety of devices and screen sizes to ensure that it looks and functions correctly on all devices. Consider using a website testing tool, such as BrowserStack, to quickly and easily test your website on a range of devices and browsers.
9. Keep the Content Short and Succinct
When designing a mobile-responsive website, it’s important to keep the content short and succinct. Mobile users often have limited attention spans, and they want to be able to quickly find the information they’re looking for. Consider using headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make the content easy to read on a small screen.
10. Make Sure the Website is Accessible
Accessibility is an important aspect of website design, and it’s especially important for mobile-responsive websites. Consider using semantic HTML, alt tags for images, and proper color contrast to ensure that the website is accessible to users with disabilities. Additionally, consider using an accessibility plugin, such as WP Accessibility, to help automate the process of making your website accessible.
11. Monitor the Performance of Your Website
It’s important to regularly monitor the performance of your mobile-responsive WordPress website to ensure that it’s functioning correctly and providing a great user experience. Consider using website monitoring tools, such as Google PageSpeed Insights, to monitor the performance of your website and identify any potential issues that need to be addressed.
12. Use a Mobile-Friendly Navigation
When designing a mobile-responsive website, it’s important to consider the navigation experience for mobile users. Consider using mobile-friendly navigation, such as a hamburger menu, to help make it easy for users to find the information they’re looking for. Additionally, consider using clear and concise labeling for each section of your website to make it easy for users to understand where they are and how to navigate to other sections.
13. Implement Responsive Typography
Typography plays a critical role in the design of your mobile-responsive website, and it’s important to ensure that your typography is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes. Consider using flexible units, such as percentages and ems, to ensure that your typography remains legible on all devices. Additionally, consider using a font stack that includes web-safe fonts, as well as a few web fonts options, to ensure that your typography looks great on all devices.
14. Use a Responsive Grid System
A responsive grid system can help you to structure your mobile-responsive website and create a consistent layout that adapts to different screen sizes. Consider using a responsive grid system, such as Bootstrap or Foundation, to help you design your website and ensure that it looks great on all devices.
15. Implement Touch-Friendly Interactions
When designing a mobile-responsive website, it’s important to consider touch interactions and ensure that your website is easy to use on touch-enabled devices. Consider using touch-friendly interactions, such as large tap targets, to help make your website easy to use on mobile devices. Additionally, consider using hover effects and animations sparingly, as they may not be supported on touch-enabled devices.
16. Monitor User Engagement
Monitoring user engagement on your mobile-responsive website can help you to understand how users are interacting with your website and identify areas for improvement. Consider using user engagement metrics, such as bounce rate, time on site, and pages per session, to help you understand how users are engaging with your website and make data-driven decisions to improve the user experience.
In conclusion, designing and developing a mobile-responsive WordPress website requires careful consideration of a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, and typography. By following these best practices and tips, you can help to ensure that your mobile-responsive WordPress website is easy to use, accessible, and provides a great user experience on all devices.
Leave a Reply