How to Optimize a Website for Mobile Version
In today’s conditions, adapting websites for smartphones and tablets has become an essential necessity. According to statistics, users increasingly access websites specifically from mobile devices rather than computers. Consequently, if a website does not have a mobile version or that version is poorly designed, it inevitably reflects on the commercial and informational success of the platform. This article will detail how to quickly and efficiently create a quality mobile version of a website without unnecessary hassle.
A well-crafted mobile version is a brilliant way to attract a new target audience. The modern individual is accustomed to receiving necessary information promptly and in a structured format. For this reason, instead of a site with cluttered, chaotic fonts, inconvenient layouts, and long loading times, users will undoubtedly choose a resource with an optimized interface, where every element occupies a clear hierarchy and responds quickly to requests.
Moreover, it often happens that when a targeted search for a site is made, turning to an unoptimized mobile version leads to failure. The issue is that the functionality of the page “underneath” meets the required technical conditions, playing a significant role in the ranking process. Beginning in 2019, Google Search primarily indexes sites that are adapted for mobile devices. If a resource is not optimized, it may lose rankings or even not be displayed in the results at all.
A thoughtfully designed mobile version of a site, on the contrary, contributes to shaping a positive image of the company and increases sales volumes.
Possible Options for Adapting a Site for Mobile Devices
Experts in the field of search optimization argue that the best solution to the adaptation issue is to develop a site straight away with an adaptive version. However, let’s take a closer look at the design options below.
Responsive or Adaptive Design
The essence of “responsive design” lies in its ability to create a site that will be accessible for viewing in normal format on any device. In this variant, project styles are aimed to adapt to the screen size of the device in use. It is worth considering that this solution suits owners of sites originally designed for desktop but later require updates for a mobile version;
- Sites were originally intended for desktop but now require updates for a mobile version;
- Originally, they were designed for desktop; due to the impossibility in a crisis to develop a mobile version (for executing a task with inadequate resources);
- They are designed for public access, primarily visual content, but also textual materials.
On one hand, responsive design helps make a site more flexible, but on the other hand, it does not guarantee an ideal result (the site may take a long time to load).
Adaptive Design
The fundamental element of adaptive design is a flexible modular grid, where fixed and relative parameters are not defined. Thanks to this peculiarity, the structural parts of the web resource change their boundaries, adapting to a specific screen version. There are no limitations in the application of adaptive design; it fits well for any type of site. Thus, when creating a targeted page, it is certainly possible to focus on responsive design, but it is better to turn to the tools of adaptive project design.
As for multi-page internet stores, blogs, and other similar resources, the choice is quite evident. The loading speed of the site directly affects the performance indicators of electronic commerce sites.
Adapting a Site to Mobile Version with Framework and Templates
This solution has gained wide popularity due to the simplicity of implementation. Rarely, specifically this method serves for correcting internet pages placed on WordPress or similar content management systems.
Today, users are offered a variety of programming platforms, tailored for modernizing the version of web resources. Among the simplest are Skeleton, Responsive Grid System, and Bootstrap. The latter tool from the list is recognized as the most convenient, as with its help, adapting a site can be implemented extremely quickly, according to the previously selected framework.
The Bootstrap functionality is quite extensive, including templates of CSS types, HTML, JavaScript extensions, markup, navigation divisions, buttons, forms, etc. If desired, a specialist can customize the grid to necessary parameters. One of the main advantages of this framework is that it allows making an adaptive layout in a shorter time frame, which otherwise would take a lot longer with manual programming.
Dedicated Address with a Subdomain
Using this strategy is purposefully only for owners of large internet platforms such as job search sites, trading platforms, social networks, etc. Adapting general media resources is more convenient segment-wise through a specified structural division and full modernization.
This option is advantageous also financially, but it is crucial to note that after formulating a separate subdomain, you place two different projects in place of one web resource. Engaging them separately in filling, formatting, and promoting also requires segmenting, but if you understand that, from a perspective, it pays off, you should take the risk.
The website owner can raise a perfectly legal question – what happens to ranking if the site content under the mobile and desktop versions is identical? It is essential to note that, according to search engines like Yandex and Google, copying information in such a form is acceptable, but it is better to restructure and describe the attributes Link (on the desktop version) and canonical (on the mobile version).
