Responsive Web Design: What Is it?
Responsive websites are basically web designs that are compatible with all sorts of gadgets rather than only working on laptops and desktop screen resolutions. Today, owing to the increasing usage of mobiles for internet surfing, websites are designed in such a way that they effectively work on both, smartphones and tablets, along with desktop screens. In fact, 52.7% of the people who own mobiles are said to be accessing internet from their mobile devices currently, and this figure is projected to increase to 61.2% in 2018.
Thus, as the number of internet mobile users are expected to continually increase and eventually overcome the desktop users, there needs to be a web design that works on all sorts of devices and gadgets, irrespective of their size.
Earlier, during the pre-responsive website era, when users tried to pull up a website on their mobile, it showed a miniature version of the website that would appear on their desktop screen. As a result, users were required to zoom the website in order to get an enlarged version of the text to make it appear more viewable. Having to do so much resizing and scrolling when navigating a website from mobile made it extremely inconvenient and a strenuous task for the users. Another option was to get a mobile version for websites. However, these mobile version sites offered reduced features and functions to the users. Therefore, web developers started constructing websites with responsive web designs, in order to make web navigating and surfing convenient for users.
Responsive websites are coded in a way that offers users maximum convenience with optimal viewing experience. Whatever device you choose to surf the website from, the layout along with various other elements it consists of will be adjusted and reformatted with utmost elegance. As a result, responsive web design is enjoying more and more popularity, as nearly all of the businesses having an internet presence are making it a priority to get a responsive website for their company.
These websites follow a ‘mobile first’ approach where web developers develop websites focusing on what mobile users prefer to see on the site. Thereby making it a very exceptional experience for the users.
Responsive Websites: Why So Much Hype Around It?
Experts all around are constantly urging businesses that have internet presence and are dependent upon web traffic to optimize their websites with responsive designing. Based on the report by Smart Insights, with the number of mobile internet users having finally surpassed the number of desktop users in 2014, it is no secret that business owners along with regular bloggers need to have a responsive designed website.
Here are some reasons as to why you should be opting for responsive web designs.
Better User Experience
User experience is perhaps the most important reason as to why you should be opting for responsive websites. While it is true that good content rules the internet, you cannot discount the importance of user experience. Google has added user experience rating as a ranking factor, which means that if you want to ace SEO, you need to provide the best user experience. After all, if users finds your website difficult to navigate and access, they are not likely to read your web content – no matter how good or engaging it is.
Offering customers an excellent experience is one of the mottos of marketing. Responsive websites supports this motto as it offers customized solutions to access websites on multiple devices for a wide array of users. With no longer having to zoom or shrink the web content and images, as well as wait for the website to load on the mobile, users don’t get frustrated. Rather, they are much happier with your service.
Saves Time and Money
One of the misconceptions that surround responsive web designing is that it is extremely expensive and requires a lot of time. Nothing could be farther from truth though. In reality, there is not much difference in the cost of different websites. Also, if you even incur slightly more cost for creating responsive web design, you’ll notice that in the long run the benefits offered from responsive websites will outweigh the initial cost that you incurred.
This is because, you no longer need to design different websites for different gadgets. Because responsive websites boast extreme flexibility, they will can easily adjust on all kinds of screens. Thus, your maintenance cost is vastly reduced as now you only have to incur maintenance for one website, compared to before when you had two websites, the ‘mobile site version’ and another, ‘desktop site version’.
Consequently, you also save on time and energy invested. As now, you only need to maintain one website and one website only.
Everyone Is Doing It
It was in 2013 that responsive websites became all the rage. Prior to that, the world had been seeing drastic changes as to how people were shifting to cell phones and tablets to access the internet, which led to experts constantly recommending online businesses to move towards websites that are responsive. Though, initially not everyone was keen to make the switch; today, almost everyone (even your competitors) has updated their site to responsive. Microsoft, Disney, Starbucks and Time are some big companies who have switched to responsive websites.
Thus, if you are still stuck in the old times, it is about time that you update your site – otherwise it will be your own loss as customers take the leap to your competitors and push you out of business.
Google Recommends It
What possibly could be a bigger reason than Google, the mighty search engine itself, recommending online businesses to make the switch to responsive websites. Since responsive websites have the same URL and HTML, irrespective of the kind of device, it is much more convenient for Google to organize its content. Also, content from responsive websites is easily shareable for users because of similar URL and HTML, which is high on the list of Google’s SEO ranking.
Thus, in June 2012, Google officially recommended the responsive web design where it explicitly stated that responsive design is the best web practice.
Supports the Increasing Use of Mobiles
Smartphones because of their ubiquity and convenience have taken over the world. No longer is its usage restricted to exchanging calls and messages as now it has become an essential device to connect to the online world. Moreover, with telecom companies offering attractive mobile data packages that includes unlimited access to the internet, less and less people are using the traditional broadband internet. Thus, people are becoming increasingly dependent upon smartphones to surf the web. In fact, according to statistics from Pew Research Center 62% of the people who own a smartphone, access news via the mobile web. Furthermore, statistics report that around 67% of the people are more likely to make a purchase from a website if it is compatible to their mobile.
Thus, to cater to the needs of these ‘smartphone dependent’ people, you need to incorporate responsive web designs for your websites as it is extremely flexible and works for multiple devices.
Invest In the Future
Investing in a responsive web design means that you are investing in the future. If you do not get a responsive web design support, you may very well say goodbye to your customers.
With so many gadgets being launched every few months, you need a website design that is compatible to all kinds of devices. Already half of the adult population has a smartphone each, and by 2020, it is believed that approximately 80% of the adult population will own smartphones.
Thus, it is only sensible and prudent of you to you invest in responsive web designs as it is equivalent to investing in the future. Not only is your investment going to successfully pay off in the future, but it is also going to make sure that your future remains bright and successful.
Paves the Way to Further Growth and Development
Ever since users started accessing websites through their cellphones, they are looking for an easy and convenient way to navigate websites. Any business or organization which offers a responsive website to its customers or audience is likely to acquire a competitive edge on its competitors. This is because, more and more people will choose to visit your website rather than your competitor’s.
Since your competitor hasn’t upgraded to the optimal web design, users still using that website will be required to go through a lot of trouble having to resize and scroll left and right. When you come up with your responsive website, customers, who prefer convenience above everything else will instantly shift to your website. Reportedly, companies which have upgraded to responsive websites have experienced an increase in sales by 62% from mobiles, and 64% from tablets.
This competitive advantage that you have above your competitors leads the way to business growth and development.
Thus, seeing the rapid use of cell phones and tablets – along with many other gadgets being expected to be launched in the future – the fuss around responsive websites comes as no surprise. Responsive designs offer a range of benefits to both, the online businesses and users. It is important that firms upgrade their websites, in order to adapt to the changes in the environment. Get yours today!
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