If your BigCommerce store isn’t delivering a smooth experience on smartphones and tablets, you’re likely losing business. Mobile commerce accounted for 56% of online sales in 2024, with 79% of consumers making mobile purchases within the last six months. Shoppers expect websites to perform well no matter what device they use. If your site struggles on mobile, customers will leave for competitors who offer a better experience.
Why should your BigCommerce site be mobile-friendly?
What is responsive design, and why is it important?
How do outdated themes affect mobile performance?
Why do large images slow down your website?
How can simplifying navigation improve user experience on mobile?
What tools can BigCommerce provide to preview mobile design?
How does Shogun help customize mobile pages?
What are some quick ways to speed up your website?
Why is testing on real devices critical for mobile optimization?
How does a mobile-friendly site benefit sporting goods customers?
Here’s why this happens, what it means for your sporting goods store, and how to fix it.
Why Mobile Optimization Matters
Imagine trying to browse for running shoes or hiking gear on your phone, but the site feels clunky, images don’t load properly, and buttons are hard to tap. That’s what happens when a website isn’t designed for mobile users. Responsive design ensures that your site adjusts perfectly to different screen sizes, offering a seamless shopping experience.
Responsive sites make it easy for customers to browse, add items to their cart, and check out quickly. Without it, visitors are likely to exit your store and head elsewhere.
Common Issues with BigCommerce Stores on Mobile
When your website underperforms on mobile, these are some of the usual culprits:
- Outdated Themes – Some older themes aren’t built to adjust for mobile screens.
- Slow Load Times – Mobile users are impatient; they’ll leave if your site takes more than a few seconds to load.
- Complex Navigation – Menus that work well on desktops can feel overwhelming on smaller screens.
- Oversized Images – Large, high-res images slow down loading and distort layouts.
- Missed Testing – If you’re not previewing your site on mobile, you’re likely missing layout and functionality issues.
How to Fix Mobile Design Issues
The good news? You can transform your website’s mobile experience with some targeted updates.
1. Use a Mobile-Responsive Theme
Start by choosing a modern, mobile-friendly theme available through BigCommerce. These themes adapt automatically to smartphones and tablets, ensuring a clean, functional design. If your current theme feels outdated, consider upgrading.
Pro Tip: Test the theme on multiple devices before committing to make sure it works well.
2. Optimize Your Images
Large, unoptimized images can crash your mobile performance. Compress your photos using tools like TinyPNG to maintain quality while dramatically reducing file sizes. This speeds up load times and keeps your site looking sharp.
Pro Tip: Use responsive image techniques so your website serves smaller image files to mobile users.
3. Simplify Navigation
Condense your menus for mobile by using a hamburger menu (the three-line icon). Focus on linking to key sections like product categories, checkout, and contact info. Avoid long, nested menus that frustrate shoppers.
Pro Tip: Ensure your search bar is easily accessible for quicker navigation.
4. Speed Up Your Website
Mobile users expect instant results. You can improve your site’s speed by:
- Minimizing Code – Reduce unnecessary characters in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Leveraging Browser Caching – Enable browsers to store common site elements so they load faster on repeat visits.
- Using a CDN – Deliver images and files from servers closer to your users to improve speed.
Little improvements like these can make a big difference in how your site performs.
5. Take Advantage of BigCommerce Tools
BigCommerce provides excellent built-in tools to optimize your store for mobile:
- Mobile Preview Mode: See exactly how your site will appear on different devices before publishing.
- Drag-and-Drop Customization: Easily adjust layouts to suit mobile screens without any coding required.
These tools take the guesswork out of mobile optimization.
6. Customize with Shogun
If you want more control, Shogun is a powerful tool that integrates with BigCommerce. It allows you to adjust your store’s mobile display, such as hiding oversized banners or videos that slow down load times. You can also tweak fonts, button sizes, and layouts, creating a polished and user-friendly experience.
Pro Tip: Shogun’s visual editor lets you preview how changes will look across devices in real time.
7. Test, Test, Test
Testing is the final and most important step. Go beyond simulated views and test your site on actual devices, such as iPhones, Android phones, and tablets. Look out for small details like readability, button placement, and layout issues. Browser developer tools can also help identify potential trouble spots.
Why This Matters for Sporting Goods Stores
Your customers, whether they’re buying tent poles on the trail or gym equipment post-workout, expect a smooth shopping experience. A poorly optimized site interrupts this flow, and frustrated customers will turn to competitors.
Mobile-friendly stores provide the convenience active shoppers need, boosting engagement and sales. Simplifying the buying process ensures they come back for more.
Your 5-Step Action Plan
- Switch to a responsive theme for better mobile compatibility.
- Compress your product images to improve loading speeds.
- Simplify navigation with a hamburger menu and a visible search bar.
- Use BigCommerce tools like mobile previews to fine-tune your site.
- Test on real devices to resolve unseen issues.
Final Thoughts
Mobile commerce is no longer optional; it’s a necessity. With more shoppers browsing and buying on their phones, your BigCommerce store must be ready to deliver. By implementing these steps, you’ll create a site that performs beautifully on all devices, keeping customers happy and coming back for more.
Invest in your mobile strategy today, and watch your sales and customer loyalty grow.
