Mobile-First Design: Why Your Whidbey Business Can't Ignore Phone Users
Here's the truth: a lot of your potential customers are looking at your website on a phone. Not most, not all, but enough that if your site is hard to use on mobile, you're losing business.
Mobile-first design doesn't mean your desktop site doesn't matter. It means starting with the smallest screen and making sure everything works there first, then scaling up.
Why Mobile Matters Differently on Whidbey
Think about how people actually use their phones to find island businesses:
A tourist sitting at the Mukilteo ferry terminal, searching "Whidbey Island restaurants" while waiting to board. Someone driving down the 525 or Highway 20 looking for your farm stand's hours. A local scrolling through their phone at night, trying to remember your workshop schedule.
These aren't leisurely browsing sessions at a desk. They're quick, often distracted moments where your website needs to deliver answers fast.
Common Mobile Mistakes I See
Tiny text that requires zooming. If visitors have to pinch and zoom to read your hours or menu, they'll give up and try someone else.
Buttons too small to tap accurately. Ever tried hitting a tiny "Book Now" link with your thumb while holding a coffee? Frustrating.
Horizontal scrolling. Your site should never require side-to-side scrolling on a phone. If it does, something's broken.
Pop-ups that can't be closed. That newsletter sign-up box that looks fine on desktop? On mobile it might cover the entire screen with no visible X to close it.
The Phone Test
Pull out your phone and visit your website like a stranger would:
Can you tap your phone number to call without hunting for it? Can you read your services or menu without zooming? Do all your buttons and links work when you tap them? Does your contact form work without the keyboard covering the submit button?
If you're wrestling with your own website, your customers are too.
Quick Fixes in Squarespace and Wix
Both platforms automatically create mobile versions, but they're not always perfect:
Check your mobile editor settings (both platforms have separate mobile views you can adjust)
Increase font sizes—14 pt minimum for body text on mobile
Make buttons bigger and add more space between clickable elements
Hide or simplify navigation menus for mobile (use a hamburger menu)
Test your forms on your actual phone, not just in preview mode
Desktop Still Matters
Don't abandon your desktop site in the pursuit of mobile perfection. Many service businesses find clients research on their phones but book on computers. Your site needs to work everywhere.
Start with mobile, then scale up. That's mobile-first.
Wondering if your site is mobile-friendly? I can take a look.
