User Experience
Optimising WordPress for mobile: essential steps
4 May 2024 · 4 min read
Mobile traffic is the norm. In the Netherlands more than 65% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means the mobile version of your website determines your rankings. A mobile-optimised website is essential.
At WP Maintainer we test every website on multiple mobile devices. In this article we share our optimisation steps.
Responsive design
Make sure your theme is responsive. This means the layout automatically adapts to the screen size. **Test:** - Use Chrome DevTools (F12 > device toolbar) - Test on real devices (iPhone, Android, tablet) - Check both portrait and landscape orientation
Mobile performance
Mobile users are impatient: - Loading time under 3 seconds (preferably under 2) - Minimise JavaScript and CSS - Use lazy loading for images - Compress images (WebP format)
Mobile navigation
- Use a hamburger menu - Ensure sufficient tap space (minimum 44×44px) - Place important actions within thumb reach - Avoid dropdown menus that are difficult on mobile
Mobile forms
- Minimal fields - Large input fields - Adjust keyboard type (email, tel, number) - Enable autocomplete
Testing and measuring
WP Mobile optimisation
Our maintenance plan includes mobile performance optimisation. We test on multiple devices and optimise loading times specifically for mobile.