The Basics of Responsive Web Design
We’re living in an era of extreme abundance of information. It is estimated that approximately half the world’s population uses some form of smartphone or mobile device. That means more people than ever use some sort of mobile device to access the internet.
The days of designing a website solely for PC or laptop use are long gone. For modern day websites, responsive web design is a necessity.
What is Responsive Website Design?
Responsive website design is a method of building websites that are easily scalable and can adapt to any type of device including desktops, tablets and mobile smart phones.
Responsive web design relies on coding that produces web pages using ratios and percentages rather than fixed positions on-screen. This method of web design allows developers to create websites that feature a full list of amenities and functions in desktop format, but will automatically become truncated, favoring style and easy-to-use layout when viewed on mobile devices and tablets.
Why is Responsive Design Important?
Our phones have become an important and integral part of our daily lives. Most smartphones are now capable of the majority of tasks that a PC is capable of. This includes word processing, spreadsheet creation, photo editing, and .PDF formatting. Combine that with the multimedia and entertainment capabilities of the average smartphone, and that means more and more people are relying on mobile devices for all their computing needs.
With mobile use so prevalent, modern day businesses need to cater to cell phone users.
What are the Best Responsive Web Design Practices?
Creating a responsive website is not a choice anymore. It’s a business necessity. But what are some of the industry best practices to keep in mind when designing your website’s interface?
- Create your page for mobile audiences and adapt it to desktop devices afterwards
- Use SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics) for the most attractive and adaptable look
- Make clickable areas the appropriate size for a mobile layout
- Be mindful of image size to maintain quick loading times
- Use mobile functionality to your advantage by linking social media buttons and the phone’s dial feature to your site’s buttons
Responsive website design isn’t just a good idea in the current digital space, it’s a business necessity. Customers and end users expect a seamless experience on desktops, tablets and mobile devices. To help ensure that your website employs the best in responsive design, contact us for an evaluation.
