Responsive Web Design (RWD) is web design aimed at crafting sites to provide the optimal viewing experience. A responsive website is basically a website that adapts to the screen size of the device upon which it is viewed. It is crucial today as more people use mobile phones or tablets to access the internet. If your website is not responsive you are likely to lose potential clients due to their negative experience. Here are some reasons why RWD will lead your business to greater success:
1. Growth of mobile device use
Every year the number of mobile device users increases. This means that if you want to make your website attractive and accessible to all you must make it mobile friendly. Ignoring the fact that more and more people are using mobile devices is not a wise move. The following diagram shows that only 55% of people in 2013 accessed the website via a desktop computer. All indications are that the upward trend of using tablets and smart phones will continue in the coming years.
2. Search engine giant Google prefers responsive websites
Google prefers responsive websites for several reasons. Firstly, if your website is responsive it uses one URL, or web address, for all devices. This means there is less work for the Googlebot to index your site. If you use separate mobile and desktop sites Google has to index each page twice and decide which version to serve to the user in the search engine results page.
Secondly, responsive websites with a single URL for all devices helps users share your content across the multi-device world we now live in. With Responsive Website Design all users, no matter which device they are currently using, can view your page without a loss of quality.
3. Responsive websites are easier to maintain
In the past, if you wanted your website to be available to all, you would have needed two or more sites. Each site would have been updated and maintained separately. With a responsive website you have only one database which enables you to make changes and updates relevant to multiple devices with great ease. It is also designed to cooperate with devices not yet released making it a great investment for your business.
If you’d like to chat, please get in touch with us today.
