The way we browse the web has changed. Over 60% of online adults use at least two devices every day and nearly 25% use three devices*. These devices consist of three main categories, desktop computers (and laptops), tablets and smartphones.
It’s because of this increasing trend in multi-device browsing that you may have heard a lot about ‘responsive website design’ (RWD). Even if this is the first time you’ve heard this term I can guarantee that you’ve visited a responsive website in the last six months, in fact, you’re on one right now. If you’re viewing this on a desktop device try resizing the browser window and see what happens.
It’s extremely important that your website can accommodate users of these various devices. In the past the answer to this was to essentially have two websites; one designed and built for desktop users, and a mobile site specifically developed for smartphone users. However, the range of screen sizes now available across mobile, tablet and desktop devices varies dramatically – so two standard website designs just won’t cut it anymore. To make your website truly accessible to all you need a responsive website.
What is a responsive website?
This infographic explains it in more detail, but in short – a responsive website will adapt to the screen size it is being viewed on to provide an optimal viewing and navigation experience.
Responsive websites are not a flash in the pan. One digital expert was quoted as saying: “Day by day, the number of devices, platforms, and browsers that need to work with your site grows. Responsive web design represents a fundamental shift in how we’ll build websites for the decade to come” – Jeffrey Veen, Executive Interface Director for Wired Digital.
Major online retailers and organisations moved quickly to make their websites responsive and here’s why:
- 81% of UK adults age 25-34 own a smartphone.
- 70% of teens own a smartphone.
- 50% of adults age 55 and over own a smartphone.
- 57% of users won’t recommend a company with a poor mobile site.
- 40% of Smartphone users will go to a competitor after a negative mobile site experience**
- 50.3% of e-commerce traffic came from mobile phones and tablets in 2014
Econsultancy, November 2014
*Facebook, GfK
**Google
Pros of responsive web design
There are plenty of advantages that come with the implementation of a responsive website.
You’ll keep your customers happy and actually keep them as customers as a result
If you check your website analytics right now you will probably find that 10% – 25% of your visitors are already browsing on mobiles or tablets. A visitor is a lot more likely to buy products and services from a website that actually works on their device.
It’s cost effective
You’ll only pay for the development of one website rather than multiple mobile sites and apps – there’s only one website that needs maintaining too. Publishing new content and updating the site is easy when there’s only one place for it to go.
It boosts your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
The major search engines are all about rewarding websites that deliver a great user experience and a well-built responsive website will offer just that. Google has made it very clear that it likes responsive websites and now states that responsive web design is the industry best practice. With the same URL for desktop and mobile users it is easier for Google’s link algorithms and increases crawler efficiency, this often results in improved search engine visibility.
Still need convincing? Just take a look at these recently published stats on mobile shopping trends over the 2014 Christmas period.
- Boxing Day saw an excess of 50% of traffic through a mobile device for the first time ever.
- 47,100 sales each day originated from a mobile device (smartphone and tablet).
- 19,900 of these were through a smartphone.
- 664 clicks originated from a mobile device every minute.
- 822 sales were generated through a smartphone each hour.
- 32.75% of revenue generated for its advertisers in December was through a mobile device.
Source: Affiliate Window, Mobile retail in December
It’s for these reasons that every website we build at Vizulate Digital is device responsive as standard. There’s simply no point building a new website that isn’t responsive.
Our websites are clear and easy to use on every device, screen size, and browser. In addition, every site we build has a powerful content management system (CMS), allowing you to make changes whenever you wish.
Still not sure? Check out our animated infographic which provides a simple explanation of what a responsive website is and highlights the many benefits it can bring to your customers, and your business. Watch it online by clicking here.
About Vizulate Digital
Vizulate Digital is a digital marketing and web design agency based in Brighouse on the outskirts of Huddersfield and Calderdale. We provide mobile-friendly and responsive website design, e-commerce development and digital marketing solutions for businesses looking to grow online.
