A website fitting on a small screen does not automatically mean it works well on a phone. The real test is whether a customer can read the information, navigate and complete the important task comfortably.
Test the whole journey
Choose a common action, such as asking about a photography booking or requesting a quotation. Begin on the page a customer is likely to find, rather than always starting at the homepage. Check the navigation, text and controls. A visitor should not need to zoom repeatedly to read a service description or press a small link. Forms should make clear what information is required and how to correct an error.
A simple mobile checklist
- Menus open, close and remain easy to use.
- Text fits without unnecessary horizontal scrolling.
- Buttons and links are comfortably selectable.
- Images support the page without hiding important information.
- Forms work with the on-screen keyboard.
- Booking and checkout steps complete successfully.
Use more than one device or screen size where practical. Your own phone may not reveal a layout problem that appears with a different display, browser or text setting.
Questions and answers
Should the mobile version contain less information?
It should present information appropriately. Hiding essential details can make decisions harder. Reorganising the layout is often more helpful than simply removing content.
Is responsive design enough?
Responsive layouts are a useful foundation, but important interactions still need checking. A form can fit the screen and still be confusing or difficult to complete.
Do I need an app to fix a poor mobile website?
Not automatically. Identify the website problem first. An app should have its own business justification rather than becoming a workaround for avoidable design issues.
What should I ask a developer to demonstrate?
Ask them to show a complete customer journey on a phone, including an error and a successful outcome. That provides more useful evidence than a screenshot of the homepage.
Talk to Digital Solutions
Explore our website design and development services and previous projects. Tell us what you need to improve and we can help define a practical next step.