In a prior post we talked about the importance of formatting marketing emails for mobile devices. This is because the majority of people now read their email on smartphones and other small screen appliances. Ignoring the reading experience of the mobile user dismisses over half of our audience. In doing so we run the risk of alienating them and causing them to unsubscribe, flag us as spam, or block our messages. In the same manner, we need to consider the mobile user when it comes to website design for your telephone answering service or call center. What does your website look like from a mobile device? If the answer is “Yuck,” then you have some work to do. A website that doesn’t display well on a small screen will drive visitors away. With just one click they can switch to your competitor’s website, and it doesn’t take too much to cause a time-strapped prospect to do just that. To keep them on your site (and away from your competition), you need a site that is mobile ready. The industry jargon for this is “responsive,” which means your website will respond well for the mobile user with small screens and no mouse. Here are some essential elements of a mobile-friendly website, one with a responsive design: Automatic Resizing: The dimensions, layout, and flow of a website should automatically adjust to fit the size of the devices’ screens. This includes graphics. View your website on a variety of smartphones, tablets, and internet-connected appliances. On each one the user experience should be easy and hassle free. No Horizontal Scrolling: Websites should never require a user to scroll to the right to read text or view navigation options. Any site that requires horizontal movement is a bad design. It doesn’t matter if users view your site on a smartphone, pad, tablet, laptop, or desktop. Don’t make visitors have to work to access information, because most won’t. Easy Navigation: Sometimes a website’s navigation works great on a computer but produces frustration when accessed on a smaller device. A responsive website design will automatically accommodate a smaller viewing area without hampering navigation. Easy to Read: Websites need text that is easy for users to see and to read. This includes using a standard font that contrasts sharply with the background, usually black text on a white. While deviations from this may be tolerable on a computer display, the reduced size of a mobile device may render the text effectively unreadable. Don’t make users of units with small screens have to expand text, because that introduces scrolling and causes other issues. No Hassle Contact: Most users avoid filling out contact forms, even more so on mobile devices. Don’t make them do so. Provide one click contact so they can call, email, or text you if they have a question. Having a responsive website is critical to engage mobile visitors. Make it easy for them to learn more about your answering service or contact you if they have questions. Otherwise they will move on to your competitor’s website. Janet Livingston is the president of Call Center Sales Pro, a premier sales and marketing service provider for the call center and telephone answering service industry. Contact Janet at contactus@callcenter-salespro.com or 800-901-7706.Peter Lyle DeHaan is a freelance writer from Southwest Michigan.