There is no doubt that the influx of portable devices in recent years has changed all of our lives. So many new smartphones, tablets, and portable computers can be used as tablets. It’s a lot to take in.
You may be overwhelmed by what they do and how they affect the web. You may also be confused by the terminology: “responsive,” “click vs. touch,” “screen size,” etc. But what you may not know is that the website that you have, that’s been working for your business just fine for the last 5-10 years or even longer, is not going to cut it for this new wave of electronics.
Aside from understanding the new devices (you don’t really need to understand ALL of them, just the ones you use), there is a whole other world of website design and development that has changed because of these convenient devices that have come into our daily lives. The adoption rate of smartphones and tablets has rapidly increased. With that increase, the importance of mobile-friendly websites increases. This is where “Responsive Web Design” comes in. So what exactly does that mean?
Before the spread of these new mobile devices, web designers and developers had one primary challenge: to make sure that websites looked the same across all of the available browsers. Now, with so many devices available, web designers and developers have the challenge of laying out and coding websites so they provide an optimal viewing experience across a wide range of devices, from desktops to mobile phones. Optimal viewing experience means: ease of reading, navigation, look and feel to remain consistent, ease of use, business information readily and clearly available, minimum resizing and panning or scrolling, etc. The designer and developer should ensure that the website readjusts its elements and looks cohesive on a variety of devices. This eliminates the need for desktop and mobile websites like in the old days. Your “Responsive Website” would then be multi-use and be available across all devices.
So what are the advantages of having a “Responsive Web Design”?
1) Responsive sites are fluid. The content moves across any device once it is loaded. That means that you will see the same information on a desktop that you would on a tablet and also see it on a phone in a way that is easily legible and accessible.
2) Responsive sites are cost effective. Your site will be used across all devices, meaning you don’t have to have a “desktop version” and a “mobile version” anymore. One website costs less than two so the savings can be substantial.
3) It is recommended by Google. Google search engine loves responsive web design. Which means if you aren’t doing SEO then you will get a natural boost from google for having responsive. But if you are doing SEO then your efforts are enhanced by simply having a responsive web site.
4) Your user experience is great! Users are on the go more than ever now. Searching for items or visiting company websites while they are waiting at the doctor’s office or getting their oil changed on their car is not uncommon. Having a website that they can navigate easily and find information quickly not only makes their experience better but converts to new customers for you a lot quicker than it used to be possible. The happier they are with the ease of use of your site, the better it can be for you to get new clients and show off why your company is so great.
Contact us if you have any questions regarding Responsive Web Design, we would be happy to discuss your website needs!
