There’s a surprisingly common problem in modern web design: iPad and other tablet users get ignored.
Not “could use improvement.”
Not “we’ll fix it later.”
Ignored.
Mobile looks fine. Desktop looks great. Tablet ends up as either a blown-up mobile layout or a broken desktop version with clipped sections, crushed spacing, and text running off the screen. I see this on small-budget sites, high-budget sites, and yes, on the websites of other web designers.
“But Tablet Traffic Is Small”
Tablet traffic typically accounts for roughly 8–12% of total web traffic, depending on the industry. That’s not a rounding error. That’s real people using real devices.
And even if it were less, the argument still doesn’t hold. A sub-par experience is still sub-par, regardless of how many people see it.
What seems to be happening
Most tablet issues fall into one of two categories:
Mobile, but bigger
Designers scale up the mobile layout and stop there. Everything feels oversized, awkward, and spaced for thumbs instead of hands.
Desktop, but broken
Desktop layouts are forced onto tablet screens with no adjustments to margins, padding, or column structure. Content gets clipped, buttons overlap, and sections feel cramped. This is especially common on platforms like Wix and Squarespace where tablet is often treated as an afterthought.
Both approaches send the same message: tablet users weren’t even considered.
Yes, Even on Designers’ Own Sites
I’m not going to post screenshots or call anyone out. But if you’re another web designer reading this, it might be worth opening your own site on a tablet before assuming this doesn’t apply to you, because it might. Hell, I double checked this site before posting this just to ensure I’m not a hypocrite.
Why We Don’t Accept This (and You Shouldn’t Either)
At Tallack Media Corp., we don’t believe any device gets a pass. Desktop, tablet, and mobile all deserve a fully thought-out experience. Not because analytics demand it, but because your website is a reflection of your business. If it feels sloppy on one device, it quietly suggests your business might be sloppy too. Fair? Maybe not. Real? Absolutely.
And you shouldn’t accept it either, even if tablet is “only” 10% of your traffic. That 10% is still potential customers. It’s people trying to book, buy, call, or figure out if you’re legit. If they land on a broken layout with clipped content or weird spacing, they don’t usually send feedback. They just leave.
Tablet optimization isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s part of basic quality control. If your website works beautifully on desktop and mobile but falls apart on tablet, that’s not “good enough.” That’s unfinished. And unfinished websites don’t convert as well, don’t build trust as well, and don’t do your business any favours.
Tablet Is Its Own Experience
Tablet isn’t desktop-lite or mobile-plus. It has its own screen ratios, interaction patterns, and expectations. Designing for it properly means adjusting layouts, spacing, typography, and sometimes content hierarchy.
Yes, it takes more time.
Yes, it’s more work.
That’s not a downside. That’s the job.
It Always Comes Back to Consistency
A consistently designed website is easier to navigate, easier to understand, and easier to trust. When tablet is neglected, that consistency breaks, and once it breaks in one place, it undermines the entire experience.
Your website doesn’t get to choose which visitors deserve a good experience. If someone shows up on a tablet, the site should work just as well as it does everywhere else.
Tablet included.
