Why do think people prefer to be on the internet using their smartphones than using their computers?

I think you should have said "some people".

First, many people do not even have a computer. Their only source to the internet is their smart phone.

Second, a phone is a whole lot more portable than a computer - you have it everywhere you go, so it is far more accessible.

Third, people are easily bored these days and when you're sitting on a bench, waiting for someone or something, grabbing your phone and browsing the internet is a natural thing these days. (Back in the day, people carried a book, magazine or actually read newspapers while they waited around.)

All that said, I think many people prefer to read long documents and watch things on a bigger screen, so a computer is certainly better for that.

Also, for most product niches (not all), conversion rates are significantly higher for people using computers vs. smart phones, so it appears that many people do research on a phone but buy on a computer (probably those bored people who discovered something on their phone while waiting and later went to their computer to read more about it and do further research on a big screen).

Finally, Google's algorithm apparently rewards websites that are fast, responsive and easy to navigate on a smart phone, so it is definitely something website developers need to pay attention to. That said, ONLY focusing on that to the detriment of how a site appears on a desktop is a sure-fire way to know that you have the wrong developer!

Its simple my friend ,people are all the time on their mobile : public transport ,cofee breaks ,work break ,in the morning .And the computer are used only at home at work etc .So smartphones are used 80 percent more than a computer if not ,in fact many people dont use computers and use only phones .If you want to succed then you need to focus on mobile

honest opinion
i think people are more focused on smartphones because your phone is always with you whereas a laptop or computer is just something that stays behind as well as computers and laptops are quite inconvenient to carry around

Not all developers think that way. Mobile traffic is high, and it makes sense to design a website around mobile devices - because some people do buy from mobile. It's like integrating online marketing with offline marketing if you're an offline business owner. Not most of your business will come from online marketing, but it would be a mistake not to design and plan for online sales to boost total overall sales.

This is how today's world works. Everything is getting more mobile, everything is getting faster and smaller and people are conditioned to be on a device 24/7, so of course website developers have to be mobile friendly.

For me personally it is a bit different. It is very rare that I would do any research or buy any products on this device. I do that on a regular computer. And prefer this also clearly. I only use my cell phone for chatting and stuff.

Not all of them have a computer, or not all of them are sitting on a computer/laptop and browsing all day, we are human and we go out for different work, we need something then we open our phones not a laptop. the smartphone makes life easier

Using a phone is more convenient, if a customer can do everything from his bed he will appreciate it

Larger chunk of the audience. More convenience.

Small-screen, handheld convenience for many people.

For editing I love a laptop. But try to make a living on Tik Tok without a cell phone.

I think if Steve Jobs were alive he would be pissed off at the size of Apple phones...that is my only gripe I enjoyed slipping an Iphone 5 into my pockets.

I don't want to be wearing a man bag just to keep my cell in but had to give in....at least it says Nike on it.

The "why" is easy and straightforward to know, as the world has completely gone mobile. Most people now prefer to surf the web from home using their mobile phones and tablets. This is happening basically because the world is now in a mobile-first era.

If you're expecting me to say something like "it's handy, small, and comfortable to use a mobile device,".