All over the world, people are accessing the web. How the web is accessed through has changed dramatically over the years. In 2016, mobile browsing started overtaking desktop browsing consistently. This shift marks a need for websites to be more flexible and responsive than ever.
Now, mobile browsing is becoming more important, but that does not mean the desktop version should be neglected. Since most people design for desktops first and mobile second. Both need to be taken into consideration. After all, the general population is impatient and prone to closing websites that do not load fast enough regardless of what platform they’re on.
One of the biggest factors in load time is scripts. These scripts (such as ads or plugins) require resources to launch, and depending on the setup of the website, may be given priority over other content. This can dramatically slow website load times.
Another factor in load time is the size of graphics files. This is not to say websites should not have pictures, gifs, or videos. It’s to say that the size should be considered. For example, many people do not look at what type of picture file they are uploading. A PNG is generally much larger than a JPG, so using JPG on a website makes more sense for load time.
Both above factors can also be applied to mobile display planning. A professional theme usually comes with a mobile format built in, though it may need to be altered slightly. A solid web developer should also be able to set up this format.
Being responsive, mobile friendly, and loading quickly all assist a website. Mobile friendliness has even become search engine ranking criteria, and websites that lack a mobile-specific version have been falling in the rankings. Considering these items from the beginning or readjusting for them will help any website.
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References
Gibbs, Samuel. Mobile web browsing overtakes desktop for the first time . 2 November 2016. Web. 20 June 2018. <https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/02/mobile-web-browsing-desktop-smartphones-tablets>
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