The Mobile Blindspot
Teams design on 27-inch monitors, then "make it responsive" as an afterthought. Your mobile conversion rate is probably 40-60% lower than desktop. Not because mobile users care less — your mobile experience is that much worse.
8 Mobile Failures
1. Tap Targets Under 44px
Apple recommends 44x44 points minimum. Most websites fall short. The result: missed taps and frustration.
2. Horizontal Scrolling
Any horizontal scroll on mobile feels broken. Common culprits: tables, images without max-width, fixed-width containers.
3. Wrong Keyboard Types
Email fields without the @ keyboard. Phone fields without the number pad. Free conversion gains most forms miss.
4. Fixed Elements Eating Space
Sticky headers, cookie banners, and chat widgets can consume 30-40% of viewport height.
5. Font Below 16px
Forces pinch-zoom. iOS Safari also auto-zooms on input focus below 16px.
6. CTAs Outside Thumb Zone
The comfortable reach is bottom-center. Most CTAs require scrolling. Consider sticky bottom CTAs.
7. Slow on Cellular
1.5 seconds on WiFi. 5-8 seconds on cellular. Mobile users experience your worst performance.
8. Pop-ups on Mobile
Desktop pop-ups become mobile deal-breakers. Google also penalizes intrusive interstitials.
The Mobile Diagnostic
- Test at 375px width
- Check every tap target for 44px minimum
- Measure fixed elements vs. viewport ratio
- Test forms with thumb-only input
- Simulate 3G and measure time-to-interactive