Responsive Design: What is it and how does it work?

Responsive web design is a technique that allows webpages to adjust their layout and content to better match the size of the user’s screen.

By developing a website with responsive design principles, you can ensure your website will be presented with the optimum viewing experience on smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops.

The benefits of incorporating responsive design.

As digital technology continues to evolve, more and more businesses are recognising the importance of responsive design. A responsive website is one that is optimised for all devices, including computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. This means that no matter how your potential customers are accessing your site, they will always have a positive experience.

There are many benefits of having a responsive website, including:

  1. Increased traffic: With more people using mobile devices to access the internet, it is essential to have a responsive website in order to reach as many potential customers as possible.
  2. Improved search engine ranking: Google now favours responsive websites in its search results, so having a responsive site can help you to achieve a better ranking and drive more traffic to your site.
  3. Enhanced user experience: A responsive website provides an optimal viewing experience for users, regardless of the device they are using. This can help to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

If you are looking to improve your digital presence and reach more customers, then working with a digital agency that specialises in responsive design is the best solution.

Responsive Design shown in websites for Devlyn Construction and Mustera Group, Perth.
Responsive Design shown in websites for Devlyn Construction and Mustera Group, Perth.

Tips for creating a mobile-friendly website.

As more and more people use their mobile devices to access the internet, it’s important to make sure that your website design is mobile-friendly.

Here are a few tips to help with responsive design:

  • Design the site mobile first: When designing the website, consider the mobile view first.
  • Use responsive web design principles: This means using CSS media queries to determine how your content will look on different screen sizes.
  • Ensure buttons are touch-friendly: Make sure your buttons and links are large enough to be easily clicked on with a finger. Small targets can be difficult to hit on a small screen, so it’s important to give users plenty of room to click.
  • Use clear and concise text. Long blocks of text can be difficult to read on a mobile device, split your content into short paragraphs and use shorter sentences where possible.
  • Optimise your images. Ensure image file sizes are as small as possible, this will reduce the render time. This means making sure they are compressed and sized appropriately.
  • Avoid pop-ups. These can be intruding on a mobile device, especially if they block the content you’re trying to view. If you must use them, make sure they can be easily dismissed so users can get to your content quickly.
  • Use lazy load: In some instances lazy load is beneficial, this means images aren’t loaded until scrolled into view. This also reduces the screen render time and can improve page load speed.
  • Test your website on different devices: This will help you identify any areas that need improvement.

By following these tips, you can make sure that your website is ready for the ever-growing mobile market.

Responsive Design: What is it and how does it work
It is essential to incorporate responsive design into your website in order to deliver an optimal user experience.

Examples of responsive website design.

While some businesses have been slow to embrace this change, an increasing number are beginning to see the benefits of responsive design.

Here are a few examples of responsive design done well:

National Geographic is one of the most popular science and history magazines in the world. Their website uses a responsive design to provide an optimal viewing experience on any device. This ensures that visitors can enjoy stunning photography and fascinating articles regardless of how they choose to access the site.

Design Institute of Australia incorporates lazy load, meaning off-screen images aren’t downloaded until viewed.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts AIGA is a good example of responsive design, a clean layout with easy-to-consume content.

As these examples illustrate, responsive design can be used to create websites that offer an enjoyable experience for users regardless of how they choose to access them. Investing in responsive web design is an important step in ensuring that your online presence meets the needs of today’s consumers.

Responsive design should be a key component in your website development and overall digital marketing strategy. By having a responsive website you improve your SEO ranking, and have a better user experience which leads to more conversions, and keeps your website future-proof.

If you’re not sure how to make your website responsive or could use some tips for creating a mobile-friendly website, we’ve listed some helpful resources above. And of course, if you want help from the experts, Hello Brands is always here for you. We will work with you to create a responsive website that looks amazing on all devices and drives results for your business. Contact us today to get started.

 

Last updated:

Responsive website design for Avior Consulting, Perth.

Responsive website design completed for Avior Consulting, Perth.

A responsive website is one that is optimised for all devices, including computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones

To discuss your website's Responsive Design contact Hello Brands today.

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