Introduction: When Your Website Works on Desktop but Breaks on Mobile
A very common complaint I hear from business owners is:
“My website looks fine on my laptop, but it looks completely broken on my phone.”
This problem shows up as:
- Text overflowing the screen
- Buttons overlapping
- Images breaking layouts
- Menus not working
And naturally, people ask:
- Why does my website look broken on mobile phones?
- Why does my website load differently on mobile?
- How do I fix a website not displaying properly?
The good news is this:
👉 In most cases, this issue is design- and layout-related, not a hosting or browser problem.
For businesses using professional website design in India, mobile display issues directly affect conversions, trust, and Google rankings.
Why Does My Website Look Broken on Mobile?
Your website looks broken on mobile because:
- It is not fully responsive
- Elements are sized for desktop only
- CSS breakpoints are missing or incorrect
- Images and sections are not mobile-optimised
Mobile screens behave very differently from desktops.
Why Does My Website Load Differently on Mobile?
This question appears repeatedly in search results.
Mobile browsers:
- Use different screen widths
- Apply different font scaling
- Load resources differently
- Prioritise speed and touch interaction
If your website wasn’t designed mobile-first, layouts often collapse.
Why Does My Website Look Different on Different Devices?
Because:
- Screen sizes vary
- Pixel densities differ
- Browsers render CSS differently
- Some devices enforce accessibility scaling
A site that looks fine on one phone can break on another if responsiveness isn’t handled correctly.
Why Do Some Websites Not Work on Mobile?
Websites fail on mobile when:
- Fixed-width layouts are used
- Old themes are not responsive
- Inline styling overrides mobile rules
- Pop-ups block content
- JavaScript conflicts occur
This is common in older or DIY-built websites.
How to Make a Website Mobile-Friendly
To make a website mobile-friendly:
- Use responsive layouts
- Adjust padding, margins, and font sizes
- Stack columns vertically
- Optimise images for mobile
- Remove unnecessary animations
This is a core part of business website development, not an optional feature.
How to Fix Display Problems in Mobile
Here’s a practical approach:
- Test the site on real devices
- Use browser responsive tools
- Identify overflowing or fixed elements
- Adjust CSS breakpoints
- Test again after each change
Fixing mobile issues is iterative, not instant.
How to Turn a Website Into Mobile View
Many users ask:
- How to turn a website into mobile view?
You don’t “switch” to mobile view.
Instead:
- The website adapts automatically using responsive design
- Layouts rearrange based on screen size
If this doesn’t happen, responsiveness is missing or broken.
How to Fix a Website Not Displaying Properly
If your website is not displaying properly:
- Check if the theme is responsive
- Review page builder mobile settings
- Inspect custom CSS
- Disable conflicting plugins temporarily
Most issues come from layout misconfiguration.
What Are the 7 C’s of a Website?
The 7 C’s are often referenced in web design:
- Context
- Content
- Community
- Customisation
- Communication
- Connection
- Commerce
On mobile, clarity and content structure matter more than anything else.
How to Optimise a Website for a Phone
To optimise for phones:
- Prioritise vertical scrolling
- Use larger tap targets
- Simplify navigation
- Reduce clutter
- Test touch usability
Mobile users don’t browse the same way desktop users do.
Why Is a Website Working on One Device but Not Another?
This usually happens due to:
- Inconsistent breakpoints
- Device-specific CSS bugs
- Browser compatibility issues
- Cached styles not updating
Testing across devices is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the layout isn’t properly responsive.
Mobile browsers render layouts differently than desktops.
Use responsive design and mobile-first layouts.
Adjust layout, CSS breakpoints, and mobile styles.
They were designed only for desktop screens.
Because of screen size, browser, or CSS compatibility issues.
Why This Issue Hurts SEO and Conversions
Google uses mobile-first indexing.
If your site:
- Breaks on mobile
- Loads poorly
- Is hard to navigate
It affects rankings and user trust.
This is why SEO-ready websites must prioritise mobile performance.
Quick Tip
If text or buttons are touching the edges of the screen, your mobile padding is broken.
Did You Know?
More than half of website traffic today comes from mobile devices—yet many sites are still designed desktop-first.
Mobile Is Not Optional Anymore
The real question isn’t:
“Why does my website look broken on mobile?”
It’s:
“Was my website designed properly for mobile users?”
Fixing mobile layout issues improves:
- User experience
- Conversions
- SEO
- Trust
Not Sure Why Your Website Breaks on Mobile?
Start with a free website consultation to identify mobile layout issues and fix them correctly.
