Why You Should Put Mobile First When Designing Your BigCommerce Store

Before looking at the specifics, it’s essential to grasp the concept of mobile-first design. This strategy involves designing an online experience for mobile before scaling up to larger screens. Such an approach is not merely a trend but a necessity in today’s market. Here’s why:

• User Experience (UX): A stellar mobile UX is no longer optional. It’s the cornerstone of customer satisfaction and retention.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Google’s mobile-first indexing underscores the importance of mobile-optimized sites for search rankings.
• Conversion Rates: Optimized mobile experiences directly correlate with higher conversion rates and revenue.

Content is the lifeblood of any e-commerce site. When considering mobile-first design, it’s crucial to prioritize content effectively. This means:

• Highlighting key messages and calls to action above the fold.
• Streamlining content to ensure it’s concise and easily scannable.
• Employing a hierarchy that guides the user through the site effortlessly.

A mobile user’s journey should be intuitive and unencumbered. Achieving this involves:

• Implementing a navigation menu that’s easy to access and navigate with one hand.
• Ensuring that clickable elements are adequately sized for touch interaction.
• Providing clear visual cues for interactive elements.

A seamless checkout process is critical for closing sales. To enhance this on mobile devices, consider:

• Minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase.
• Using autofill and stored payment options to expedite the process.
• Offering guest checkout options to reduce barriers to purchase.

Visuals leave a lasting impression. In a mobile-first design, it’s vital to ensure that images are:

• High-resolution, yet optimized for fast loading times.
• Responsive, scaling appropriately across different devices.
• Relevant and supportive of the accompanying content.

Typography is not just about readability; it’s about making a statement. When optimizing for mobile, remember to:

• Use font sizes that are legible on smaller screens.
• Select typefaces that reflect the brand’s personality while maintaining clarity.
• Apply adequate spacing to prevent a cluttered appearance.

BigCommerce offers a plethora of features to enhance mobile responsiveness:

• Responsive design: All themes automatically adjust for any device.
• Cloudflare Polish: Optimizes images for mobile loading speed.
• Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP): Create faster-loading product pages for improved conversion and search ranking.

• Stencil themes: Designed specifically for mobile optimization, including mobile-optimized navigation, product grids, and checkout flows.
• Custom CSS: Tailor the look and feel of your mobile store.
• Mobile-specific settings: Control how your store looks and functions on mobile devices.

• BigCommerce Mobile App: Manage your store on the go (add/edit products, process orders, view analytics).
• BigCommerce Mobile SDK: Build custom mobile apps for your store.

The trajectory of mobile e-commerce is ascending, and BigCommerce is at the helm, steering businesses towards a future where mobile-first is the standard. By adopting the best practices outlined, businesses can ensure they are well-equipped to cater to the ever-growing legion of mobile shoppers.

The journey to mobile-first excellence is ongoing. As technology evolves, so must the strategies employed to captivate and convert the mobile consumer. The outlined best practices are your compass in navigating the vast and dynamic landscape of mobile e-commerce.