/ Web design
What is mobile-first design?
Designing for mobile screens first, then scaling up to tablet and desktop. It's now the default for any serious website in 2026.
/ 01
The short version
Mobile-first isn't a trend anymore — Google indexes the mobile version of your site, over half of UK traffic is mobile, and any site not designed mobile-first is losing money.
/ 02
Why mobile-first
Google mobile-first indexing means the mobile version of your site is the version that gets ranked. If it's a stripped-down afterthought, your rankings suffer. Designing for mobile first also forces discipline — you can't hide behind hero videos and giant navigations.
/ 03
What mobile-first actually looks like
Big legible type (16px minimum body, 18–20px preferred). Tap targets 44×44px minimum. Single-column layouts that scale up. Thumb-reachable navigation. Compressed images. Progressive disclosure (don't cram everything above the fold).
/ 04
What's often wrong on SMB sites
Menus that only work on hover (broken on touch). Text under 14px. Buttons too close together. Popups that can't be closed on iPhone. Horizontal scroll from oversized images. Long forms with no autofill.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get your mobile experience right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Should I have a separate mobile site (m.example.com)?
No — responsive design is the standard. Separate mobile sites are a 2010 idea and cause SEO problems.
Do I need a native app?
Rarely. A fast responsive site + PWA capabilities covers 95% of use cases without App Store friction.
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