Month: July 2024

The way we use the internet looks a little different now than it did 20 or even 10 years ago. Smartphones are more accessible than ever, which means that many people prefer to access the internet using mobile devices rather than desktop computers.

In fact, mobile devices accounted for 54.67% of global internet traffic as of Q4 2023. That means more than half of your website’s visitors could be mobile users! 

To account for this shift, many (if not most) businesses are shifting to mobile-first design for their websites – meaning the entire design process is conducted with the mobile experience in mind.

However, not all mobile-first websites are created equal. Here are seven features that the most successful mobile-first sites use to create a great experience for their users.

1. Responsive Web Design

Responsive design is the process of creating websites that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. 

Different smartphones and tablets have different screen sizes, so responsive design creates an optimal viewing experience for everyone, no matter the device. A responsive design will also work on a desktop computer, even if the site was primarily built for mobile use.

The benefits of a responsive mobile site are significant. This approach improves accessibility and user experiences for every visitor, and can even boost engagement rates. Additionally, responsive sites tend to perform better in search results, so they can help you improve your SEO rankings.

2. Fast Load Times

Fast load times are crucial for mobile users, who often rely on slower public Wi-Fi networks or mobile data. When a website takes too long to load, it can drive visitors away, but a speedy website is user-friendly and helps with SEO rankings.

There are many small changes you can make to your site to improve load times. These include image compression and code simplification. When images are too large or your code is too complex, it slows your site down, so these strategies will help speed up load times. You can also cache, or save, your website strategically, which helps it load more quickly. 

You can also use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, which is a tool that measures your site speed and provides actionable recommendations for improvement. 

3. Simplified Navigation

When visitors are browsing your website on the go, they need to be able to find information efficiently. If your mobile website design is too complex, they might get frustrated or navigate away from the site. Roughly 48% of users say they feel frustrated and annoyed when they encounter a site that isn’t mobile-friendly. 

Hamburger-style menus are a popular navigation feature for mobile websites, as they are universally recognizable and fit neatly into a small screen design. These small menus feature an icon with three horizontal lines and open up into a larger menu. This ensures that navigation doesn’t interfere with the functionality of each page.

It’s also best to keep pop-up ads and other promotional tools to a minimum, as they can be distracting and make the site more difficult to navigate. Instead, incorporate call-to-action buttons and promotional copy naturally throughout the site for easy navigation and a more seamless experience.

4. Touch-Friendly Design

Most of today’s mobile devices have touch screens, so your mobile-first website should be built with touch-based interaction in mind. 

Google recommends making your touch targets 48x48dp and separating them by at least 8dp of space for ease of use. Regardless of the size of the mobile screen, the touch targets will be roughly 9mm.

If your touch targets are too small, it will be difficult for users to click on various elements of your website, resulting in low engagement. Buttons and links also need to have an appropriate amount of space between them. If they don’t, your site will look cluttered and will be confusing to navigate.

Additionally, consider the thumb-friendliness of your site for easy smartphone navigation. Thumb-friendliness involves placing important buttons and features within reach of the thumbs on a smartphone layout, rather than placing them at the edge of the screen and causing strain. 

Ideally, you should test your site on various mobile devices before launching to ensure the touch screen is responsive. The process of interacting with the site should be the same across every device, regardless of screen size.

5. Readable Text

When website content is condensed directly from a desktop website to a mobile version, it often becomes too small to read and loses its formatting. This means that visitors have to zoom in or strain to read the text.

When building a mobile-first site, focus on making the text easy to read on smaller screens. In general, opt for font sizes of around 16px for mobile-friendly design for clarity. Use simple typography that is easy to read, and use a font color that contrasts directly with the background color of your site for visibility.

Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that your text is properly formatted for a mobile device so words do not cut off mid-sentence. Ideally, text should be easily resizable for accessibility purposes, supporting visitors with visual impairments.

6. Integrated Mobile Features

Successful mobile design integrates unique features that are specific to mobile devices for a seamless experience. One example is integrating with GPS and Google Maps to provide directions to your business. Instead of just putting your address on your website, you could implement a button that opens the Google Maps app and provides directions from the user’s location.

Another popular mobile feature to integrate into your site is push notifications. Interested visitors to your site can opt into push notifications telling them about updates to your site. This is an effective way to promote sales and new products to your most loyal customers.

7. Consistent Branding

Brand consistency across your mobile site and desktop site helps build trust and recognition among potential customers. Use the same logo, fonts, colors, and design elements across both sites to create this sense of consistency.

This level of consistency ensures that no matter how your users visit your site, they experience the same visual identity, messaging, and overall feel. They’ll ultimately get a more memorable user experience that helps them remember your brand identity.

Build Your Mobile-First Site With Platinum Consulting Services

Your business can capitalize on the trend of increased mobile internet usage by building a site that’s fully optimized for smartphones and tablets. Mobile-friendly website design makes your website more accessible and engaging for visitors (and search engines love it too).

Ready to build your mobile-first site? Platinum Consulting Services is here to help. We create stunning custom websites that reflect your brand identity and are built for today’s mobile users. Schedule a consultation today to get started. 

Writing copy for websites is a lot of pressure. 

Your website is often the first interaction customers have with your brand, and you want to get the words just right. The language you use needs to be straightforward, relatable, and impactful.

One way to muddy up your message is by using confusing jargon. While your intentions may be good, overusing technical terms can actually push customers away.

In fact, a study by Aha Media found that decision-makers were more likely to take the next step and download a white paper only after reading a teaser that used strictly plain language.

It’s clear that straightforward messaging is key to connection—but how can you implement this on your website?

Our mission at Platinum Consulting to provide you with website copywriting strategies so that you can make an immediate (and lasting) connection with your audience. In this blog post, we’ll do just that. 

Let’s explore why jargon happens in copywriting for websites and how you can fix it.

Jargon in Website Copywriting

Defining Jargon

Jargon is a type of shorthand language that often pops up in different professional circles. It includes acronyms, buzzwords, and technical terms that are tailor-made for specific industries. 

In short, jargon makes sense to insiders but not always the general public.

It’s easy for jargon to sneak in when writing online content, especially if you’re trying to showcase expertise. For instance, a tech company might use terms like “cloud computing solutions” or “IoT integration” in their website copy without explaining them, assuming visitors automatically understand these concepts.

When Jargon Works

Jargon does have its place, especially in technical fields like medicine or engineering where specific terms are crucial.

In these contexts, jargon allows professionals to communicate complex ideas quickly and accurately, without needing lengthy explanations. It also helps to establish credibility and expertise within the field.

In a medical setting, terms like “hypertension” or “myocardial infarction” are used instead of “high blood pressure” or “heart attack.” This is critical for a precise and shared understanding.

So, Why Limit Jargon in Your Web Copywriting?

In general, when it comes to your website, it’s best to keep things simple. Using too much jargon can make your business sound stiff and robotic, which isn’t great for building a connection with customers.

It can also make your website content hard to understand, which limits your audience. If visitors don’t know what you’re talking about, they probably won’t stick around.

Moreover, when your content is full of jargon, it sends a message that it’s only for insiders. At best, this can make newcomers feel out of the loop. At worst, they may feel unwelcome or intimidated.

The Benefits of Using Plain Language

1. It’s More Inclusive

Using plain language across your landing pages, commercial, and content pages opens the door to a wider audience. It ensures that all website visitors not just a select few can easily grasp what you’re offering.

In addition to making your site more welcoming and inclusive, this approach also increases user engagement. When people find your content easy to follow, they’re more likely to explore.

2. It Makes Readers Stay Longer

User experience is everything when it comes to website design and copywriting. When your website is easy to read and navigate, visitors tend to stay longer and come back.

Moreover, plain language and compelling copy help you connect with your target audience on a personal level. It shows that you value their time and want them to truly understand your message.

3. It Improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engines favor content that’s written in the same straightforward, everyday language that people use when they’re searching. So, ditching the jargon can help your site rank higher in search engine results.

Additionally, people tend to scan content for important points. Writing easily digestible and scannable content can increase a page’s usability by up to 58%.

If your page uses clear language, you’re encouraging longer page visits and lower bounce rates both of which positively impact SEO performance.

How to Identify Jargon in Your Website Copywriting

A simple way to catch jargon slipping in your writing is to read your content out loud. This forces you to slow down and listen to how your words sound. If you trip over a certain word or phrase—it might be jargon (or just awkward phrasing). 

To take it a step further, ask someone outside your industry to review your content. If they struggle to understand it, your message may not be as clear as you think.

If the tips above don’t help, there are online copywriting tools designed to identify overly complex terms. In particular, the Hemingway Editor and Readable are great at pinpointing and correcting challenging phrases and sentences.

Strategies for Reducing Jargon

Define Terms Clearly

Jargon isn’t always avoidable, but you can make it accessible. If you need to use specialized terms, define them clearly and simply right from the start. This approach makes your content more inclusive and ensures that everyone, regardless of their background, can understand it.

Additionally, revisiting these definitions occasionally (if needed) can keep everyone on the same page. This can be useful with more long-form copywriting for websites.

Use Analogies and Examples

One of the most valuable website copywriting skills is being able to explain concepts in a relatable way. Using analogies and examples is a great way to do this, as they can turn abstract ideas into something more tangible.

For instance, describing a data encryption process as “putting your messages in a sealed envelope” can make a technical concept suddenly click for a confused or inexperienced reader.

However, it’s important not to overuse analogies. Too many can clutter your writing and distract from your main point. It’s best to choose analogies or metaphors that are clear and impactful, using them sparingly to enhance understanding without overwhelming the reader.

Focus on Benefits, Not Features

Always remember that your visitors are looking for solutions. From the moment they land on your page, they want to know what’s in it for them.

Instead of just listing features, show them how your product or service can solve their problems or improve their lives. This is far more compelling than a dry list of features, especially on a product or landing page.

To turn jargon-heavy features into benefits, focus on how each feature improves the user’s experience or solves a problem. Simplify the language to make it relatable and highlight the practical advantages, like saving time or increasing convenience.

Keep It Simple

Always aim for simplicity when copywriting for websites. Web copy should be short, sweet, and to the point so avoid overly long sentences and advanced terminology.

Simple language reduces the cognitive load on your audience and helps them actually retain the information. As an added bonus, it helps to maintain a conversational tone, which can make your brand seem more approachable and friendly.

The Role of a Good Copywriter

A highly skilled copywriter can turn bland, run-of-the-mill text into powerful, emotionally resonant copy.

They also know how to blend technical terms with simple, relatable language. This helps avoid overwhelming the audience with jargon that can make the content feel inaccessible.

Moreover, good copywriters keep up with industry trends, sprinkle in some creativity, and know how to seamlessly weave SEO in your website copy. They also understand the nuances of tone and style, ensuring your brand’s voice resonates with your audience.

If you’re ever in doubt, hiring a copywriter can be a great way to spruce up your content and reach your goals.

The Wrap Up

In copywriting for websites, clarity is key. While it’s important to showcase your expertise, it’s even more crucial to ensure your audience understands your message.

Take a moment to review your website content. If you find any confusing jargon, replace it with clear, simple language. Your audience will thank you for it.

Having Trouble Relating?

We get it copywriting can be a pain. Platinum Consulting understands the struggle, so we’ve made it our goal to help you perfect your messaging and get the results you’ve been looking for. Whether for social media posts, blogs, or website pages, we’ll take care of it.

To get started, fill out our contact form to schedule a discovery call today.