Mobile first is a website design approach that keeps mobile users in mind from the beginning. Until recently, most people accessed the Web from their desktop computers most of the time. Developers built sites from a desktop point of view and scaled them down later to fit smaller screens on mobile devices.
Only traditional computer users experience all the features on desktop-first sites. Many graphics, links, and add-ons don’t fit on mobile screens and pages don’t load properly. Mobile devices often can’t handle the bandwidth desktop-first pages consume. Download speeds are notoriously slow, leaving mobile users frustrated and angry.
According to Morgan Stanley Research, the number of global mobile users surpassed the total number of desktop users in 2014.
Mobile-first websites completely fit on mobile screens. They load easily and quickly on mobile devices. Desktop-first sites must delete or disable content and features to fit on mobile screens and may not scroll properly. Mobile-first sites can be scaled up. You can add features and extras for larger screens or more powerful devices, instead of taking them away from your mobile audience.
Mobile first designs must be fluid and easily altered to show up differently on different types of screen. Instead of conforming to one template, you’re creating multiple mini-designs for the multiple devices that access them.
You can recognize mobile-first sites like this one because they fit on mobile screens, load quickly, and have working features. Desktop-first sites tend to load slowly, are difficult to read and navigate by mobile device, and have inoperable features.
