Paul Rone-Clarke SEO Expert is happy to share the following.
Here’s a phrase I’m just going to throw out there “device agnostic web design”.
It comes as no surprise to me that this cumbersome name, used regularly until about 2008, was ditched in favour of the sexy phrase “responsive web design”.
Thing is folks. This stuff really matters these days. We know that Google is about checking the user experience on you site and using it as a key metric in deciding whether your pages are worth ranking highly. Imagine how bad the user experience is if your design makes your site unreadable or just plain “messy” for people on tablets, mobiles or even smart TV’s?
A responsive web design is an approach applied by website designers to come up with sites whose content, structure, and images remain similar in spite of the type of device used. With this kind of design website owners do not have to create separate sites for every kind of device. More people are relying on mobile devices to access the internet and this has made it necessary for designers to come up with sites that allow both desktop and mobile users to access content with ease.
With a responsive website design, a site will change to suit the device orientation and screen size. There are some aspects to keep in mind when it comes to this kind of design approach. Content prioritization is an essential aspect when designing a responsive site. A site has to make it easy for users to access the specific information they require. Designers also need to ensure that the site provides the same kind of performance depending regardless of the device that is used to access it.
Reasons for Responsive Design
One of the main reasons why businesses need to come up with responsive designs is the need to exploit increased mobile usage. Businesses can access a larger audience with this kind of design. An increasing number of people perform internet searches on their smartphones or tablets. This means that if you make it easy for this population to access your site, your business is likely to get more exposure and this can translate to higher sales. Mobile usage is expected to surpass desktop usage in the future.
Businesses need to use responsive designs if they want to appear on search results when online visitors use their mobile devices to carry out searches for related services and products. Users find it easier to interact, engage, and share content on responsive sites compares to sites that have separate pages for desktop and mobile users.
Research has revealed that responsive designs can help increase conversion rates. Most people now purchase services and products on mobile devices. If you force users to make a lot more effort to complete conversions, they are less likely to convert. With a responsive design, you are in a better position to exploit A/B testing and advanced heatmapping and this allows you to segment your mobile users and gain insight to their interactions on the site. This kind of information will help you to boost conversion rates.
User Experience Is A Vital Serps Metric
A responsive web design helps to enhance user experience. The design makes it unnecessary to zoom or shrink images or text on a screen because the content will adjusts automatically to suit the device. This makes it convenient and easy for users to navigate and read content on the site. Most users are unwilling to make additional effort once they realize that they cannot get the information they want instantly on a site. A user will simply look for another site that they can easily access. Good user experience can increase sales and encourage users to share the content you provide.
A responsive web design is easier to manage compared to having individual mobile and desktop websites. Developers will also have an easier time coming up with content for a single site.
One of the best ways to stay ahead of the competitors in your niche is to come up with a responsive web design. This design allows you to cater to a larger audience because you can access mobile users.
Not Mobile Design Then?
It is important to understand that responsive design is not similar to mobile design. A mobile design involves coming up with a site whose content is specifically designed for mobile experience. With a responsive design, businesses can save money because they do not have to come up with different site. It is also a good way to improve search engine optimization and boost site performance.
With a responsive site, companies are able to get more leads and maintain competitive advantage. As more people embrace mobile devices, it has becomes clear that every task that can be carried out desktops should also be able accessible on mobile. A responsive web design allows you to take advantage of users who use mobile to do online shopping, check emails, and log into various social media platforms.
The post Why Responsive Web Design? appeared first on Scritty's SEO Blog.