How do you measure and analyze the impact of your mobile first efforts on your key performance indicators?

In a mobile-first approach, designers and developers start by designing for the smallest screen size first and then progressively add more features and content for larger screens. This approach ensures that the most critical content and features are prioritized for mobile users, who are increasingly accessing the internet through their mobile devices.

In the past we treated mobile users as 'browsers' and desktop users as 'purchasers' but that isn't the case in 2023. With slick UX we now expect from ecommerce sites along with fast WiFi and 4G/5G, audiences are typically just as comfortable to buy via a mobile device. Ensure your checkout process and payment gateway allows for ease of mobile shopping end to end.

We also know that mobile usability and performance is a key factor in search rankings and SEO. If your target audience are mobile users and your website doesn't perform well, your site visibility will decline in the mobile SERPs.

Mobile first is good for SEO: Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its search results. This means that if your website is not optimized for mobile, it may not rank as well in search results, resulting in a lower click-through rate and ultimately, fewer conversions.

Mobile first also means changing the way you work. Many people still work on laptops and connect large monitors so their day to day experience is mobile second. I've set my browser to emulate a mobile device and that's how I experience the web, even on my desktop. That fundamental shift has helped keep mobile first so all the features and elements are evaluated through the mobile experience. The steps to trigger this in your browser are: right click -> inspect -> then click on the mobile icon and choose the mobile device you'd like to emulate from the drop down.

Mobile first can be implemented by prioritizing the mobile experience in all aspects of design and development. This can include using responsive design, optimizing for speed and performance, focusing on user needs and behaviors, and continuously testing and iterating.

You can use tools like Google Analytics, which provides insights on mobile traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates, as well as PageSpeed Insights, which measures your website's mobile performance and suggests improvements. Additionally, you can conduct user testing and gather feedback from your mobile audience to gain insights and identify areas for improvement.

To analyze the impact of mobile first, it's important to establish a baseline of KPIs before implementing mobile first strategies, and then compare the data after implementation to determine if there are improvements in mobile user experience, engagement, and conversions. It's also important to conduct user testing and gather feedback to gain insights on areas that may need further improvement.