Designing for Mobile: Why You’re Losing Business If You’re Not Doing It
Odds are, you’re reading this on your phone.
So are your customers.
And yet, far too many websites still treat mobile as an afterthought. Something to “sort out later,” once the desktop version is done. That’s not just outdated thinking. It’s costing you money, every single day.
Let’s break down why mobile-first design isn’t just important—it’s non-negotiable.
Mobile is No Longer the Future. It's the Front Door.
Over 58% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. For many businesses—especially in ecommerce, hospitality, fitness, and local services—that number is even higher.
People aren’t “occasionally” checking websites on their phones. They’re shopping, booking appointments, reading reviews, signing up, and checking out—all from a screen that fits in their palm.
Take a look at your analytics. If more than half of your users are on mobile, but your conversion rates are dramatically lower on those devices? You have a design problem. Not a product problem.
What Happens When You Get It Wrong
Let’s say a user finds you on Google while looking for a last-minute gift. Your product page is slow to load. The images overflow the screen. The “Buy Now” button is buried beneath an email form. They try to zoom in. Accidentally click the wrong thing. They give up.
That’s not just a bad experience. That’s a lost sale. Possibly forever.
Here’s a quick hit list of what poor mobile design leads to:
Abandoned carts – 70% of mobile shopping carts are abandoned. Clunky UX is often the reason.
High bounce rates – If it takes more than 3 seconds to load, 53% of users will leave.
SEO penalties – Google’s mobile-first indexing means poor mobile usability tanks your rankings.
Brand damage – Users equate poor usability with a lack of professionalism. Fair? Maybe not. But it’s real.
What Good Mobile Design Looks Like (With Examples)
Let’s move from the problem to the solution. Great mobile design isn’t just responsive. It’s intentional. Here’s what that means, with real-world examples.
1. Prioritise Speed
Example: Apple.com – Fast-loading, clean, and minimal. Even on older phones.
💡 Use compressed images, avoid unnecessary animations, and minimise external scripts.
2. Design for Thumbs, Not Mice
Example: Airbnb – Large, tap-friendly buttons, no fat-finger mistakes.
💡 Make CTAs big, visible, and far from other tappable elements. No one wants to zoom.
3. Content Hierarchy Matters
Example: Medium.com – Clean text, easy to scan, with good line spacing.
💡 Put the most important content first. Assume people are skimming—because they are.
4. Keep Navigation Simple
Example: Duolingo – Clear, sticky nav and minimal menus.
💡 Complex menus might work on desktop. On mobile, they confuse and frustrate.
5. Make Forms Suck Less
Example: Shopify Checkout – Optimised for autofill, mobile keyboards, and fast entry.
💡 Use as few fields as possible. Trigger numeric keyboards when asking for phone numbers or payment info.
But I Already Have a Website…
Great. But here’s the test: pull out your phone right now and spend two minutes on your own site. Ask yourself:
Is everything legible without pinching or zooming?
Can I complete a purchase or enquiry in under 60 seconds?
Do I actually enjoy the experience?
If not, it’s time to revisit the design.
How Dove Digital Can Help
We don’t do generic. And we don’t treat mobile like a box to tick. At Dove Digital, we redesign experiences for how people actually behave—on mobile, in the real world.
Whether you need a full site redesign, a UX audit, or just someone to help make your mobile experience not suck, we’ve got you covered.
Because if your site doesn’t work for mobile, it doesn’t work. Full stop.
Need a quick health check on your mobile site?
Book a free 15-minute review call with our team and we’ll tell you—honestly—if your current site is costing you sales.
