Common misconceptions around mobile-first

Our latest ebook highlights the importance of Mobile-First digital transformation and how it can positively impact your business. Over the years we have found from speaking with customers, other agencies and tech teams that there is a lot of uncertainty around the topic.

This is usually due to a misunderstanding around its meaning and importance, especially for businesses. Let’s tackle the most popular misconceptions:

Misconception #1: It’s all about design

Originally, it was. The term ‘Mobile-First’ is actually not new. Development teams will no doubt recognise that it was first introduced many, many years ago when Luke Wroblewski discussed the phrase in his books back in 2009. His take was centred around user interface and experience design, shifting mindsets to design and optimise for small screens first and then to adapt those designs for larger, working up to traditional desktops.

Whilst Wroblewski’s principles of prioritising website design creation for mobile devices still stands true, we believe that mobile-first in this day and age has evolved to become about so much more than UI/UX.

The way we access technology has shifted drastically. According to Statista, Over 90 percent of the global internet population use a mobile device to go online. As a business where your focus is predominantly on your customer, regardless of whether they are B2B or B2C, this shift in behaviour is one that can and should not be ignored. Yes, designing for mobile-first is still important, but with advancements in technology, every step of your digital product development should consider mobile-first, not just the final design stages.

Misconception #2: It doesn’t fit with our company

There are many companies that believe switching to a mobile-first approach or digital transformation will shift the focus away from other areas, or perhaps become a much bigger burden to an already stretched team. It’s also easy for you to think that it’s not important for the kind of business you are.

However, in reality, it doesn’t matter what industry you are in or what kind of customers you have. If you create or produce any form of digital collateral, then mobile should be front and centre of your portfolio. You may argue that your statistics show levels of mobile adoption are low, and your data shows that people prefer to go on desktop. Whether this is the case or not, it doesn’t take away the importance of prioritising a mobile first approach.

With 6.4 billion smartphone users worldwide, it is clear this is no longer a trend. Mobile device users have made it clear that they are not going anywhere and because of this, now is the time to bring forward a new era of mobile-first transformation. If you rely on your current usage and continue to ignore mobile first development, there is a chance as mobile adoption globally continues to increase, that your business could soon be in danger of being left behind.

Misconception #3: Mobile-first means building a mobile app

It’s common for businesses to associate mobile-first with building a mobile application. The two are not dependent on each other. Thinking mobile-first does not mean focusing on the design, the device or taking your website and turning it into an app.

You may need to consider all these elements, but the most important action will be to simply go back to your objectives and goals. Ask your teams to THINK mobile-first and see what additional ideas and features you can uncover that will help your end goal.

We often remind ourselves and our customers of the following question: What problem is your digital product going to solve?

The mobile industry is disruptive by nature as platforms regularly upgrade and change operating systems, hardware and software capabilities. This opens up a whole new world of potential and opportunity for you to move your business into a strong position, ready to embrace

The main problem with mobile-first as we know it right now, is that it focuses on the device. In our experience, where businesses have fallen short in responding to this shift, has been down to the knee jerk reactions of taking digital solutions they have in place and trying to turn them mobile.

To find our more about mobile-first digital transformation download our latest ebook:
Last Call: Mobile-First Digital Transformation