Mobile-friendly web design: The indifference of Vietnamese businesses
web designs that are not compatible with all screen sizes will be ranked lower or even penalized by Google. In fact, up to 50% of web designs in Vietnam are not mobile-friendly. If you don't believe it, pick any Vietnamese business website and visit it on your smartphone; the page load speed and web interface design will not be as satisfying as they are on a desktop screen.
But web design —what exactly is mobile-friendly? What are the common mistakes found on non-mobile-friendly websites? And why do you need to ensure your website is compatible with all screen sizes? Find the answers in today's article from Markdao Digital Marketing Agency!
What is mobile-friendly in web design?
Mobile-friendly web design, more commonly known as responsive web design, refers to websites where the graphics and layout automatically adjust to fit different screen formats, such as smartphones, tablets, and more. Responsive web interface design allows users to enjoy a seamless browsing and reading experience, regardless of the device they are using.
Since April 2015, Google has been penalizing websites that are not mobile-friendly. With 70% of users now browsing the web or even shopping on mobile devices, Google introduced the "Mobilegeddon" algorithm to optimize user experience and force websites to become mobile-friendly. Consequently, website design using responsive technology has become a global trend and an essential requirement for businesses. However, in Vietnam, many companies have yet to realize the importance of responsive web design. That is exactly why Markdao Digital Marketing Agency this article aims to provide businesses with a fresh perspective on website design that is compatible with all screen sizes.
Common mistakes in non-mobile-friendly web design
Have you ever wondered why your website looks great, features engaging images, and is constantly updated with essential information, yet still suffers from a high bounce rate? It is time to visit your site on a smartphone or tablet and check if you are making any of the following mistakes.
SLOW PAGE LOAD SPEEDS
Once you have opened your website, check how long it takes for a page to load. If it takes longer than 5 seconds, it means your web design is not integrated with responsive technology. Furthermore, videos, images, or other widgets on your site may be slowing down load times because they haven't been optimized. Why not review your content and consider which images to remove, or at the very least, reduce their file sizes?
Why do slow load times have a negative impact? Because slow loading wastes time, and time is a primary factor Google uses to evaluate your website SEO , which in turn determines your site's ranking on search engine results pages.
CONTENT REQUIRES ZOOMING TO READ
This is the most common error in web design that is not responsive, forcing users to zoom in to read the text. But think about it: would you have the patience to zoom in on every single page just to read the information? In reality, you wouldn't. If this is happening on your site, your bounce rate will be very high, which negatively impacts your website SEO. This is considered the most critical error that must be avoided.
A few quick tips to keep in mind regarding web interface design on desktop or laptop screens, serif fonts are optimal, but they can be frustrating for users on mobile devices. Therefore, sans-serif fonts are the preferred choice for these devices. Beyond the font itself, you should also pay attention to font size; generally, the minimum font size on web design that is mobile-friendly is 16pt, though this can vary depending on the typeface you use.
TOO MUCH INFORMATION WITHOUT A SYSTEM
If you entered a website that looked like a jungle of information and images, would you really stick around to keep browsing? Today's design trend is web design using a grid layout with more white space, minimalist text, and sharp, high-quality images to optimize the user experience. While popular, this approach has mostly been implemented by businesses for web interface design on computer screens. In reality, most websites on mobile devices are designed in a vertical format, scrolling through one piece of information after another.
Furthermore, many websites contain a lot of information but fail to organize it systematically. It is best to divide content into logical sections so that users are not overwhelmed when they land on your site. This helps them discover what they need, moving from one piece of content to the next, which increases the time they spend on your site. This is also very beneficial for Website SEO .
So, how do we define a responsive website?
Based on the errors Markdao mentioned above, we can conclude that a mobile-friendly website is one that is compatible with any interface, regardless of screen size. The font size on this type of website plays a crucial role in making it easier for visitors to read information or view images, and it is especially important to have a logical organization for the content posted on the site. A web design that is responsive allows users to browse without needing to zoom in or out, or scroll left and right; they only need to scroll vertically, just as they would on a PC. Additionally, users should not have to wait too long for each page to load, and finally, a responsive website ensures that call-to-action buttons and links function correctly when clicked.
So, from now on, check if your web design is mobile-friendly to avoid being penalized by Google. If you encounter any difficulties and need support, do not hesitate to contact Markdao; we will take care of your website as if it were our own.
How do you know if a website is mobile-friendly?
There are several simple ways to determine if your current website is optimized for mobile devices or tablets:
- Visit your website on a smartphone or tablet: if it appears exactly as it does on your PC but at a smaller scale because the browser has shrunk it to fit the screen width, the site is not responsive.
- Check your website in a standard browser and reduce the window width: if a horizontal scroll bar appears, the site is not mobile-friendly. Try this same test on our Markdao Digital Marketing Agency website in your browser and watch how the page rearranges as the width decreases.
- Use testing tools such as Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, W3C mobileOK Checker, or HubSpot’s Marketing Grader.
Why do you need a mobile-friendly web design?
Beyond the fact that more and more people are using mobile devices to browse the web, are there other reasons why marketing experts recommend you design a website that is mobile-friendly?
RESPONSIVE WEBSITES HELP IMPROVE GOOGLE SEO
As mentioned, Google places great importance on user experience. If users engage with your site—such as by spending more time on it, sharing links, or discussing your content on social media—Google will certainly rank the quality of your website SEO higher. For Google, user experience is a critical factor in search engine algorithms, and how internet users react to your web design being mobile-friendly or not will have a significant impact on your site's search engine rankings.
RESPONSIVE WEBSITES HELP IMPROVE SALES & INCREASE ENGAGEMENT FROM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Experts consider a mobile-friendly website the premier solution for satisfying visitors and increasing the likelihood of conversions, such as purchases or sign-ups. Smartphones and tablets are well-suited for these activities, making them faster and more convenient. Simply put, imagine a visitor using a mobile device to research a purchase decision, only to encounter navigation issues or difficulty reading your content; they will undoubtedly leave your site as quickly as possible to avoid wasting time. Even worse, they may perceive your business as unprofessional, leading to a loss of trust in your brand.
RESPONSIVE WEBSITES ARE EASIER TO MANAGE
In some cases, businesses create two separate websites—one for PC and one for mobile devices. You can already imagine the cost in time, money, and effort. Why not combine them into one? This will save you valuable time, allowing you to focus on creating and managing high-quality content over the long term.
What is the cost of a responsive website design?
Is the cost of a web design that is mobile-friendly expensive? This depends on many factors. If you need a simple website without many special functions or services for mobile devices, the cost will not be high. However, if you want to provide the best user experience, such as making it easy to purchase products, book appointments, register information via mobile, or other features, the cost will be higher to meet your needs.
It is time to take a look at your business's web design!
As analyzed, a web design that is mobile-friendly plays an increasingly key role in today's 4.0 era. In Vietnam, 70% of users browse the web on their phones, but only 50% of businesses ensure their websites are compatible with all mobile devices. This is a great pity, as the remaining 50% of businesses are failing to reach more potential customers due to their indifference toward web interface design that is responsive. We can acknowledge that this will involve a significant cost, but a responsive website will make a difference in website navigation and increase the ability to reach potential customers.
Markdao hopes that through this article, you might not think of Markdao to assist you in creating a responsive website, but we do hope you have a different thought, a different perspective on the benefits that web design that is mobile-friendly can bring to your business. Thank you for taking the time to read our article.
