The earth has moved. At least the world of website design. I've found the best way to spot a trend is to keep your eye on terminology. Mobile-first design is more than a buzzword, it's a mindset. As a business professional, it's time to turn your gaze to the lens your clients will use to judge the relevancy of your content, your brand and ultimately, your survival. By 2014 the number of cell phone accounts will exceed the global population, concludes a study by International Telecommunications Union. Will your web presence be ready?

Mobile-first Design, More Than Just Another Pretty Face

It's easy to dismiss the trend. Terms like Viewport (landscape vs portrait) and width breakpoints focus attention on display. It feels reassuring to think, if it looks good, we're good. To achieve a mobile first mindset  you have to go beyond the looking glass. Now, more than ever, digital success starts with content.

Your Customers Have Left the Building

The best way to get your head wrapped around mobile first is to experience it first hand. Shut the lid on your notebook and walk outside. Whip out your mobile device and return to this post. Yes it looks different, but it still works. The image is visible, the text readable. Head over to your website. Does it look good? Don't congratulation yourself just yet. Is the menu easy to use, is the site easy to navigate. Is your Call To Action (CTA) actionable? Are you asking your clients to download and print a PDF through their phone? Make a list of all the invitations and actions you expect your visitors to perform. Can they access your content? Can you convert them to customers? If you ran into an obstacle just now, you've got work to do.

Insight

If meeting customers where they are is a savvy business strategy, it's time for you to see your web presence through their viewport.

Resources

Request Ion Interactive's, 9 Point Responsive Design Checklist.