Everything You Need To Know About Responsive Web Design

Responsive web design is no longer just an option. It’s a necessity every website owner must adhere to.

Currently, web developers face these:

(Note: These lists could be a fraction of the whole since some local manufacturers were not included.)

It’s amazing how website developers accommodate these varying devices and screens. To create sites that load properly on any device, some create multiple copies of their site, others create sites specifically for mobile.

The best thing to do is what Google recommends, responsive web design.

Before we dig further, these are the things you’ll learn in this article:

1. What is Responsive Web Design?
2. Responsive Design vs Mobile Friendly vs AMP
3. Why Do You Need Responsive Web Design?
4. 9 Benefits of Having a Responsive Web Design
5. Beyond Responsive Design: What Do You Need From Your Web Developer?

What is Responsive Web Design?

Responsive Web Design (RWD) is a web design approach wherein a site adapts in varying browser sizes and device types. It works by using media queries that detect a user’s device or screen resolution before they access the site.

Once the assessment is made, flexible types, images, and grids adjust to fit the screen of a browser or device type in which the site is viewed.

Responsive Web Design vs Mobile Friendly vs AMP

Let me get this straight: responsive design, mobile-friendly, and AMP are different from one another.

Mobile-friendly website is a web design that works exactly the same way, whether it is viewed on a desktop/laptop or mobile. In this design, some key features of the websites might render unusable in some devices (especially in mobile. Yep, this has a misleading name.).

Accelerated Mobile Page (AMP), on the other hand, is an open-source library providing a direct way to create simple, compelling, smooth, and instantaneously loading web pages. It works by removing “extraneous” stuff which search engines cache and display in search results page.

Why Do You Need Responsive Web Design?

Your website will be viewed on different types of devices, operating systems, screen sizes, and web browsers.

Designing a website for one device type is the most catastrophic failure you can do for your site. Forbes agrees, “you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice if your website is not designed to respond and adjust to mobile and other devices.”

RWD doesn’t just assure your site adapts to your audience’ device. It also secures that your site will be shown in search results. Configuring your site for multiple devices helps search engines understand your site. This is one of the best ways to be found by searchers.

9 Benefits of A Responsive Web Design

Other than adaptability, here are the benefits of Responsive Web Design:

1. Increases traffic from mobile users. 94% of people in the USA with smartphones search for local information from their phones. It’s fascinating that 77% of mobile searches occur at home or at work even when desktop or laptops are within reach.
2. Improves your SEO efforts. One of the main factors in SEO ranking is website accessibility. If your website is not accessible to searchers, there’s a big possibility your customers won’t find you thru search.
3. Lower bounce rates. 53% of visits are abandoned if a mobile site takes longer than three seconds to load. RWD ensures optimal site performance on respective devices which results in faster full site load.
4. Higher Conversion Rates. Google reports that for every second delay on mobile page load, conversions fall by 20%.
5. Lower cost. Compare to alternatives (dynamic serving and separate URLs), RWD is the most cost-effective and efficient website approach. No need to further invest on mobile site since RWD is reliant on a mobile operating system.
6. Lower maintenance needs. RWD produces “one size fits all” by ensuring optimal layout for every screen. Compared to multiple web copy or mobile sites, one design means less headaches for developers, business owners, and consumers.
7. Provides a seamless user experience. This is the greatest benefit of RWD for you and your audience. If your website does not respond or distorts upon loading, potential audience engagement and conversion will be gone as soon as your customer leaves.
8. Easier Analytics Reporting. A single responsive site simplifies your analytics tracking and makes it easier for consolidation and reporting. (Tip: If you want to learn what device type your customer is using, you can simply filter the data from your analytics tool.)
9. Improved offline browsing experience. Smartphone and tablet users can now save and view web pages offline thru HTML5. RWD helps users to continue viewing your web content without internet connection. This is great for your business since 78% of local-mobile searches result in offline purchases.

Beyond Responsive Design: What Do You Need From Your Web Developers?

After learning everything you need to know about responsive web design, let’s tackle what you need from a web developer.

Efficient web developers know the best practices in responsive design. But, effective and efficient web developers will give you more than that. They’ll give you a virtual representation that sets you apart, reveal your unique story, and give your business a virtual voice.

How to find these web developers? Simply look for a web design company that digs into your why’s and practices cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence.

VirtuoLegance can give you that. Equipped with latest technologies and expert web developers, you can ensure you’ll get the best responsive web design that represents you.