Is the Mobile View of Your Association's Website Costing You Members? 11 Fixes to Make Now

In today’s world, your website isn’t just a place where members land — it’s where they engage, renew, sign up, and interact. And more than ever, that’s happening on mobile devices.

Recent data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were over 33.59 million mobile connections in Australia at the start of 2024, that is more than 126% of the population. With more people using smartphones and tablets to access the internet than ever before, mobile-first design is no longer optional but essential.

If your association’s website hasn’t been reviewed or updated with a mobile focus in the last year or two, now’s the time. Mobile user expectations have shifted and your organisation’s digital presence needs to keep pace.

Let’s be real. If your mobile site is clunky or confusing, you’re likely:

• Losing prospective members
• Getting fewer renewals
• Falling behind in search rankings
• Making a poor first impression
• Loosing existing members
   

More than 50- 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices (review your % from your Google Analytics) - and for many associations, that number is climbing. From event registrations to member portal logins and contact form submissions, mobile is how your community engages with you.

Yet we often see association websites where mobile is treated as a “scaled-down” version of the desktop site - which is a costly mistake.

A lot of people hear “mobile responsive” and think that’s the whole job done. But in reality, a responsive design just means your website can adjust its layout to fit smaller screens — it doesn’t guarantee a smooth or enjoyable user experience.

Today’s members expect more than resized layouts. They expect fast load times, clear navigation, finger-friendly forms, and quick access to key information — all without pinching and zooming.

You don’t need to build a dedicated app. You just need a website that’s designed smarter — one that’s built for the way members browse, interact, and take action on mobile.

Let’s walk through 11 powerful upgrades that can significantly improve your mobile user experience and support your membership goals.

1. Prioritise Thumb-Friendly Design

On a desktop, users click. On mobile, they tap — and accuracy drops.

• Make sure all buttons and tap targets are at least 44x44 pixels
• Avoid crowding links or placing them too close together
• Put your primary actions (like “Join Now” or “Renew Membership”) in the natural thumb zone
   

Sticky bottom buttons work well to keep actions visible at all times.

2. Improve Load Times on Mobile Connections

Busy professionals — your members — won’t wait around for a slow site.

• Compress large images and use formats like WebP
• Load galleries, videos or secondary content only when needed
• Minimise external scripts and use lightweight plugins
   

Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can highlight mobile-specific issues.

3. Keep Navigation Simple and Focused

Mobile menus should be clear and accessible.

• Use a hamburger menu with large, easy-to-tap items
• Limit to core pages like Home, About, Join, Events, Contact
• For more complex sites, add a bottom navigation bar with icons for quick access

4. Use Expandable Content for Easier Reading

Lengthy blocks of information can be overwhelming on mobile.

• Break down pages with tabs or accordions
• Let users expand only what’s relevant to them (great for policies, membership tiers, FAQs)
• Ensure components are fast, accessible, and touch-optimised

5. Make Forms Easy to Fill Out on a Phone

If your sign-up or event registration form isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s likely costing you responses.

• Keep fields to a minimum (Name, Email, Phone, Organisation)
• Use correct field types (e.g. tel, email) to trigger mobile keyboards
• Allow autofill and provide real-time field validation
   

No one wants to complete a membership form that’s harder to fill out on their phone.

6. Add Swipeable Content Sections

Make it easy for users to explore key areas with horizontal swipe features (or automated scrolls):

• Swipe through upcoming events, testimonials, or sponsor logos
• Use horizontal sliders to display member benefits or pricing tiers
• Make sure carousels are touch-responsive and easy to use

7. Keep CTAs Visible with Sticky Buttons

On mobile, you want your key action — like “Join Now” or “Login” — to follow the user.

• Add a sticky call-to-action button that appears at the bottom of the screen
• Use clear, action-based labels
• Don’t be intrusive — just make it easy to act when the moment is right

8. Make Contact Info Instantly Clickable

This is especially important for associations that host events or take enquiries.

• Ensure phone numbers are tap-to-call
• Link your office address to Google Maps
• Ensure your directory listings are mobile interactive - call, address, mail
• Add a “Get Directions” button or one-tap email/contact option
   

These small tweaks create big gains in mobile convenience.

9. Use Subtle Animations to Enhance Interaction

Animations help users know their actions worked.

• Buttons change colour or elevation on tap
• Sliders animate smoothly as users swipe
• Elements gently expand or bounce to give feedback
   

Just don’t overdo it — subtle and purposeful is the key.

10. Show Real Proof and Value

Whether you’re trying to recruit, renew, or re-engage, social proof builds trust.

• Include member testimonials in swipeable cards
• Show real photos of your events, members, or leadership team
• Add logos of partners or sponsors for additional credibility
   

Mobile users make fast judgments. Give them visual reassurance.

11. Make Sure It's Inclusive and Accessible

Accessible websites perform better across all user types.

• Use text that's easy to read (min. 16px)
• Ensure sufficient contrast and touch target spacing
• Avoid flashing content or animations that can’t be turned off
• Support screen readers and add alt text to visuals
   

Better accessibility = a better experience for everyone.

With mobile use dominating how people browse, research, and connect, a poor mobile experience is no longer just a design issue — it’s a strategic risk.

A modern, mobile-optimised website can:

• Attract more members
• Support easier renewals and engagement
• Improve your visibility and credibility
• Help you deliver real value to your community
   

Not sure how your site stacks up on mobile? We’ll run a quick free UX review and send you a personalised summary with suggested improvements — no tech-speak, just clear priorities.

Let’s make your mobile site your most powerful member recruitment and engagement tool. Contact us today!