In this replay episode of Pitstop, Anne Thomas talks about designing for a mobile website first.

An expert designer of Shopify add-ons and template packs, Toronto based Anne Thomas knows that the mobile user experience is the frontline for the modern consumer. While you never know how customers will be looking at and engaging with your site, an increasing number of users are navigating online over their mobile devices, some doing all of their shopping from the palm of their hand. An optimized, easy to navigate and enjoyable user experience over their mobile device will drive both increased brand engagement and sales overall, and Anne has three important rules for any Shopify user to follow to get the most out of their site.  

1. Not every smartphone or mobile device is equal. Some consumers will be using older devices, with slower processors or older operating systems. Some have larger screens than others, or details appear with less clarity. One easy trick Anne has for any mobile designer is to use the Chrome extension ‘Web Inspector’, which allows you to preview your designs on a wide variety of device screen sizes.
2. Be as careful optimizing your Shopify design packs and site features as you are optimizing to fit and function on mobile platforms. Some common and relied upon features, available across all mobile devices, may be limited un unavailable all together, such as pinch to zoom or swiping, depending on the template or design‘s programming. Always remember to test every aspect of your site, as you never know where an error may arise.
3. Regularly inspect and analyze your mobile experience. Mobile device companies, operating systems programs, app developers and browser technicians are always at work updating their product for the next step in technological evolution, and no matter how adaptive your mobile design is, eventually a platform will be released that doesn’t support it.

Pitstop is a tactical podcast for DTC/ecommerce/Shopify entrepreneurs to keep their store on the track and winning. Updated a few times a week, these short episodes get right to the point with none of the fluff. Hear real stories from operators and experts to get fast fixes and find free money.

Pitstop is presented by Mesa.

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