It is frustrating when you click on a website on mobile and have to immediately zoom in to see what it offers. Static websites were originally created to serve desktop devices, and sure, they worked well on a desktop computer 30 years ago. However, this all changed when we were able to access the internet via mobile devices and tablets. With a plethora of different devices and screen sizes out there, it is now more important than ever to have a responsive web design.
What Is Responsive Web Design (RWD)?
Static sites have a single design that does not change when viewed on other devices. This means that they are not suitable for accessing via mobile devices.
Responsive web design (RWD) is an adaptable design technique that is used to create web pages that can adapt, function, and display well on any size screen or device.
These days, responsive web designers have an increasingly important role. They create adaptive websites so that users have an equally good online experience no matter the device they are accessed on. These websites scale to the correct size by using flexible layouts and flexible images that look great, no matter the screen size.
The benefits of a responsive web design are undeniable, allowing businesses to cater to a massive array of devices and screen sizes for easy user access.
What Does Responsive Design Consist Of?
Responsive web design is important for a consistent user experience. Let's look at the key components that make up RWD:
Changing screen size
Mobile devices are getting bigger, and tablets are getting smaller, while both are getting more advanced. Each device is different, and to get a pixel-perfect layout using a static design, a web designer needs to create multiple website versions to fit different devices' screen sizes.
On the other hand, responsive websites are built with flexible layouts. They use fluid grids and media queries which work in conjunction with flexible images so that the web page displays correctly. Thus, no matter what the size of the display screen, the website will display as it should.
Making content dynamic
The content should remain engaging regardless of what device it is displayed on. While longer paragraphs may be okay on a computer, they can be tedious on a mobile device. Thus, the content must be dynamic.
Fluid layouts
Fluid layouts adapt to different devices and screens so that mobile browsing sites automatically adjust to the size of the device.
Your screen layout may be landscape or portrait. If you use accessibility options, everything may appear larger, too. A website needs to accommodate these scenarios. By using fluid grids, the layout can change based on your device's rotation and accessibility settings.
Navigation changes
A menu that appears horizontally on desktop devices may not look as good on a mobile, or may not even be easily clickable. This is why the navigation area appears differently on a responsive website. It may appear as a button that you click to expand or as a vertical list.
While a menu may display differently on multiple devices, don’t worry about this making your site look inconsistent. Ultimately, what’s most important is that it gives the user a better overall experience.
Touch-friendly elements
On a desktop, you can use the mouse to click on a button or link. However, you need a touch-friendly option for your mobile version. This is all part of RWD because it accommodates different devices with different touch elements. So, although a small button might be fine on a desktop site, remember that people will be using their fingers to try to press it on tablet or mobile so it can’t be too small!
Why Should You Invest In Responsive Design?
Website owners will find that there are many reasons to invest in responsive design, one of the most important being that it makes the user experience much easier. Let's look at some more benefits of responsive web design.
Cost-effectiveness
Implementing RWD means that you do not need to create and maintain multiple website versions of the same site. This will save you money over time because there is less maintenance, fewer updates, and less monitoring involved when you only have a single responsive site to look after.
Flexibility
Having a responsive website means your design and content will be more flexible, which is ideal for businesses in a range of industries like travel and tourism. This is because you can have the same content and images that display differently on different devices. You can also hide unnecessary content for mobile users but display the content for desktop users. For example, keeping in mind that holidaymakers are more likely to search on mobile for holiday activities once they’re at their destination, tour companies can display different tailored content to desktop and mobile users.
Improved user experience
Responsive design allows your website to display properly to any audience, regardless of how they access your site. Potential customers don't have to struggle to try to read the content on a mobile device. If they have an easy, enjoyable experience on your website, they will probably return. This is especially true for people who have additional accessibility needs, for example people who experience sight loss and find it difficult to see small, cramped-together text.
Faster load times
An optimised, responsive design will load quickly on any device. Users often want access to a site immediately. If they need to wait for something to load, they are likely to just move on to the next site that has a faster loading speed.
Higher conversion rates
A responsive web design allows you to attract a wider audience and give them a great user experience. Thus, your conversion rates should increase. Users are more likely to buy a product or service online if the experience is easy – if they don’t have to wait around for pages to load and buttons to work. Plus, depending on your industry, many conversions come from mobile users.
Lower bounce rates
If a user gets frustrated on your website, they will quickly leave. This is called the bounce rate. One good way to reduce the bounce rate is to ensure you have a responsive website that is easy to navigate and gives a great user experience.
More social media shares
Users tend to share pages that they like, that are easy to navigate and that are useful. If your website adapts well on a mobile device, it will be especially easy to share on social media, which will increase your web and mobile traffic.
Search engine optimisation gains
Search engines like websites that are built to make a user's experience easier. If you have a responsive website, you will find your SEO rankings increasing as you climb to the top of search engines. As a result, you will get more traffic to your website because of higher SEO rankings.
Ease of management
Instead of having a separate desktop and mobile website to manage and control, you could have a single responsive website that works on all users' devices. It is much easier and a lot more convenient to manage a single website.
No duplicate content
Google does not approve of duplicate content. In fact, the search engine penalises a website that has duplicate content. As a website owner, if you have two websites with the same content, then you will face these issues. This goes against all your other SEO efforts, as your SEO rankings will quickly slip and you won't appear anywhere near the top of Google's search engine results.
Scalability
The beauty of having a responsive website is that it can grow with your business. As your business grows, you don't have to worry about creating a brand-new website to accommodate all the changes and potential increases in web traffic from different devices.
Responsive Website Design Examples
But how exactly do different websites implement responsive web design principles? Here are two examples to check out to see it in action:
Google
On the desktop version, Google has a top menu. The right side of the page has additional information or maps. On a mobile device, you have an abbreviated menu at the top that you can scroll through vertically and an extended menu accessed through the hamburger button. The content falls into a single column.
Facebook
On the desktop, Facebook has a left-side menu, your contact list on the right and your newsfeed in the middle column. The mobile version has a single-column layout, with the menu appearing as icons at the top.
The Future Of Responsive Design For Mobile
As technology evolves, so does the importance of responsive web design. It's imperative that websites adopt this design model to stay ahead.
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are the future of app development. They are not device-specific and work across various platforms. Responsive web design principles are what is used when creating PWAs, so it’s essential to have a good understanding of these when creating a website.
Conclusion
Creating responsive websites is crucial in web design. This is why it's important to have a web design agency that understands the difference it will make to your user's experience and how your site will function in search engines.
Ryde Agency is the web design agency you need. We create websites that are focused on amazing user experience and honed for the best SEO results. As ExpressionEngine specialists, we create the best website for your business, with all the benefits of responsive web design. Contact Ryde Agency today for all your responsive web design requirements.