Web pages optimized for use on mobile devices differ from those on desktop and laptop computers. The latter are designed for large screens and precise mouse clicking, while mobile Web pages are sized for smaller screens and imprecise finger tapping.
Should you do Mobile First or Desktop First?
Since most website visits come from mobile devices, site designers are tasked with delivering versions that work on both mobile devices and desktop computers. The most common approach is to use responsive web design, which automatically delivers the right version based on the user’s device and screen size, as detected by the browser.
In any case, mobile web pages differ from desktop versions in a number of ways.
The most obvious difference between desktop and mobile web pages is the screen. While most desktop monitors measure at least 19 to 24 inches diagonally, tablets are typically around 10 inches. Smartphones are around 4 inches diagonally. Simply zooming out will not successfully convert a web page to a mobile version, as it makes the text unreadable and requires an extra step from the site visitor. It also makes it impossible to accurately tap on small elements.
