Website owners can no longer sit back on the laurels of their older websites. The Baby Boomer generation is unlike the WWII generation—this generation has converted to technology and are using smart phones, tablets, and other handheld devices into their 50’s and beyond. This means that if you website can’t accommodate the 50 plus generation, you may be missing the boat.
The stats say that a Baby Boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds! That’s huge because simple math says that’s 4,000,000 50th birthdays in 2015. That means there’s no end to the laxative and cholesterol drug commercials on TV. It also means that if you’re website isn’t friendly to the aging population… you may be missing a large segment of clients or customers.
What makes responsive websites so usable by the aging Baby Boomers?
Responsive Web Design Caters to Dexterity
No matter what age having a larger menu means the user can “surf” a site easier that trying to click on smaller links on a small screen, like on a phone or tablet. For some reason as users age the word “fumbling” comes into play and larger, defined links mean less fumbling on a smart phone screen.
Responsive Web Design Gives Senior Web Users Visual Clues.
You may have noticed that older folks are more prone to wearing glasses. Small text and small links are lost on users who need to struggle to see them. I’ve actually seen users take out a magnifying glass to ready a menu! Having a large easy to see menu will lead to more clicks.
A Word About Patience
You may think that age brings patience. Well, maybe for somethings, however do you think Baby Boomers who can’t find what they want right away on your website will have the patience to stick around? NOPE! If your web visitors can’t find your phone number at the top of screen or the link to what they want—they’re gone!
The day has come to convert to a responsive, mobile ready website. It’ll grab the 4 million who turn 50 this year, users who’ve already turned 50 and younger users who are accustomed to mobile ready sites.
