Responsive Web Design

What is Responsive Web Design (RWD)?

Responsive Web Design (RWD) is a contemporary, modern approach to website design by planning for and creating an optimized user experience across a wide range of devices, for instance smart phones, tablets and desktop computers.

While many current websites are designed to look well on desktop monitors, they were made without mobile device users in mind. This creates a frustrating experience for smart phone or tablet users that have a hard time using the website. Many may even find themselves entirely excluded from using it. Vice versa, if a desktop user hits a site that was solely designed for mobile devices, it can result in an unpleasant experience. This is where Responsive Web Design comes into play by serving up a nicely adjusted and functional website based on the type of device you are using.

Approx. 25% of Website Visitors use a Mobile Device

I wanted to find out how many website users on our own hosting environment actually use mobile devices. I checked the available website statistics: I found that between 23% and 27% of website visitors use a mobile device. In other words: a quarter of all of our clients' website visitors have looked at their websites through the screen of a mobile device. My question to you: knowing this number, would you think it is acceptable to ignore one quarter of all potential website visitors? Of course it not, but what can be done about it?

Responsive Web Design Greatly Enhances the Usability of your Website

Responsive Web Design creates a one-website-for-all-users experience. There are no detours, no extra websites for certain devices, no complicated infrastructure to maintain: you will be serving up your site to all users depending on the devices they are using. “You need a mobile website” was yesterday. “You need a responsive website” is today.

Google Views Responsive Website Design Favourably

Search engine giant Google's philosophy is all about usability. It promises to look at your site favourably when you do the following things on your website:

• Create relevant content
• Update your content regularly
• Create a pleasant user experience
• Treat all users equally well, no matter which devices they use

It is pretty clear that Google will be a staunch supporter of best Responsive Web Design practices, for the reasons mentioned above. But don't take my word for it: here is what Google has to say about Responsive Website Design: “We recommend Responsive Website Design because it has many good aspects.” (Read this article about Responsive Web Design)

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Responsive Web Design (RWD)

If you consider to seriously engage in SEO, you should upgrade your website with Responsive Web Design. Search Engines will likely favour your site. Plus your website users will have a much better user experience, which in itself alone is a very valid reason to take the extra step and go RWD.

Site.DFiner CMS is perfectly equipped to handle all Responsive Web Design requirements

Clients that are using our Site.DFiner CMS can be easily upgraded to a modern, Responsive Web Design. If you own a website based on another CMS, such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal, Pinpoint Media Design can also help upgrading your site with Responsive Web Design. Please contact us for a free quote.