What is Responsive Web Design?
In the world of web design, responsive web design has been likened to the famous Bruce Lee quote: “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.”
This metaphor illustrates the way in which web content on your company’s website is responsive to the screen on which it is being viewed. Responsive web design enables web content to be rendered in an aesthetically pleasing and easily-navigable way for viewers – whether it is on a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or even on a large flat screen television.
Like water in the Bruce Lee quote, the appearance of your website changes its appearance automatically, responding to the size of the screen. Our team at Increase Marketing designs your company’s website to be responsive, thus improving the viewing experience for potential customers.
Understanding Responsive Web Design
Over a decade ago, most internet browsing happened on a computer screen. With the rapid growth of smartphones and subsequently, tablets, more than 50% of internet traffic now happens on mobile devices.
Previously, many company websites had two separate websites – one designed for mobile viewing and one designed for desktop viewing. In the early 2000s, as mobile devices began to grow in popularity, web developers began to work on “fluid,” “flexible,” “liquid,” or “elastic” layouts for websites. In May 2010, Ethan Marcotte use the term “responsive web design” to describe the “fluid grid/flexible images/media queries.” By 2013, responsive web design became a best practice for websites.
Benefits of Responsive Web Design
Did you know that 93% of internet experiences begin with an online search? Whether you run an online or brick-and-mortar business (or both), it’s safe to say that the majority of your potential clients and customers will learn about your business through your website.
Aesthetics
Imagine that your website as the first impression you give your potential customers. A well-designed, aesthetically-pleasing website gives viewers more confidence in your business. Furthermore, a website that functions well – across different platforms – makes it easier for people to find the information they need. Our team at Increase Marketing will work with you to design a website with aesthetics that reflect the experience and product that you offer. We ensure that fonts are properly resized and menus are accessible. We want to capture the essence of your business – and make sure that it looks great across various platforms.
Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization is an internet marketing strategy that aims to boost your business’s presence on search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc. SEO practices include targeted keywords and location-specific, freshly updated content. Responsive web design is another important factor in an SEO strategy.
Most people will not look past the first page of a search results page. For this reason, it’s crucial for your business to rank near the top of that search results list. A site with responsive web design helps your rankings. As a giant in the world of search engines, Google makes up 67% of search traffic. They recommend responsive web design as a means to improve your rankings in a list of search results.
Here’s why: websites with responsive web design use a single URL and the same coding, which makes it easier for Google to “crawl, index, and organize” content. The easier it is for a search engine to find information on your company’s website, the more likely it is to rank near the top of a search results list.
Non-responsive websites actually have two different URLs and HTML coding – one for desktop viewing and one for mobile viewing This makes it more labor-intensive for Google to locate a company’s website.
Social Networking
There’s no denying the power of social networking and what it can do for your business. Let’s say a customer had an awesome experience with you and wants to share a link to your website on their Facebook wall. If your website were not designed as web responsive, then a person who clicks on a “desktop link” on their smartphone or tablet may have a difficult time accessing information.
With a website with responsive design, it is easier for people to share a single link to your website that can be viewed flexibly on any device. In other words, if someone shares a link from their desktop on Facebook, their friend may access your website just as easily from their smartphone.
How Increase Marketing Can Help Your Business
If your business’s website is not yet responsive, it’s time for a face lift! Our team at Increase Marketing is happy to consult with you about your website and work with you to design a website that is responsive.