Responsive Web Design – It’s no longer a Good-to-Have, it’s a MUST-Have.

We spend most of our time browsing through the internet and even shopping can now be done in just a few clicks in our mobile phones and tablets.  Gone are the days when everything was so complicated for now, everything is at the palm of our hands.

Recently, comScore reported that the number of internet users using desktops and mobiles have already reached their tipping point last 2014, emphasizing on the fact the as mobile users increase annually, the number of desktop users decrease accordingly.

Online shopping, checking out places, connecting with friends, finding partners… All these activities can now be done at our utmost convenience with just a few clicks in our mobile phones.

To dwell on whether mobile marketing is recommendable is no longer an option because we already know that it is; statistics can prove it very well for us. The need to adjust is essential to keep up with the consumers’ demands and because the use of internet via mobiles has been increasing constantly, a seamless, primal, quality user experience on mobiles, tablets and desktops are vital in every growing business.

Below is an infographic explaining the percentage of popularity on how many users are there per device when it comes to searching the internet.

Is it possible to have one design capable of adjusting its lay-out depending on the viewport on to which device the website is being viewed? The answer is a big YES.  Responsive Design is the best way to address this ongoing issue that enables the design for multiple devices.

So what is Responsive Web Design?

This is the framework approach to crafting web designs to ensure the optimum user experience In terms of easy access and navigation in any device being used to view the website.   All content – texts and images, including the lay-out itself respond to the environment of the device by means of the multiple fluid grid lay-outs.  No more having to use zoom and scroll to view the whole page as because it automatically reformats itself according to what device is currently being used.

Although this may seem like a minor issue, it’s exactly what needs to be taken care of because it has the tendency to drive away potential customers and clients into further reading and acknowledging your websites.  There is a higher chance for them to stay longer and even engage once optimal experience is provided.

Mobile users tend to stray away from websites that are difficult to navigate around and tends to look for somewhere else, meaning what could have been your client is now someone else’s client.  Don’t let this happen.

What exactly are the benefits of a Responsive Web Design?

1. Google Prioritizes Responsive Design

According to Google, 48% of internet users start on search engines.  This just shows how important Google is for your websites, therefore the need to comply in their preferences is encouraged.

From 21st April 2015, Google implemented some significant changes in their algorithm that indicated the need to go mobile responsive because a single URL makes it easy for Google to index, resulting to higher ranks in their search engine results.  In addition to that, user experience is what they would prefer to prioritize the most and what better way to ensure that but with responsive web designs.

2. A Total User Experience

The graph above provided by comScore indicates the device preferences used all throughout the day.  As you can see, internet users prefer convenience during their free time so they prefer to use their handy gadgets to access the internet, but maintains usage of desktops while at work.

Because of its flexibility in all platforms, convenience and the satisfaction of customers are guaranteed; bounce rates are also lowered.  What happens is that when a user goes to a website and immediately goes back to the search engine results page, Google sees this move as something that makes the content of your site not relevant enough to be prioritized and therefore, leads to your website dropping down in Google’s ranking.  This shouldn’t be the case.  We all want our visitors to feel comfortable  and excited to navigate anywhere around your website using any kind of device.

3. Higher Chance in Return of Investment (ROI)

Since web standards are constantly upgrading, most likely your competitors are already using this type of design in their websites.  Responsive Design provides easier maintenance and favorable navigation around the website.

If the website visitors like your website then there is a higher chance for them to buy your products, resulting to a higher chance in increase of sales.  The convenience and efficiency of this design spikes up your return of investment.

We’ve picked out THREE brilliantly responsive websites that are worth getting inspired by:

– HYPERGRAND-

HyperGrand sells vintage and contemporary watches with interchange-able straps inspired by music, culture and the art.  The products itself are very artistic and the structure of the site plays a big role in keeping in touch with the theme and style of its products. Minimalist meets futuristic in the simple yet flexible lay-out that features easy navigation in every page and resizes perfectly when viewed on smaller screens.

– NTUC FIRST CAMPUS-

NTUC First Campus provides early childhood care and education services especially to those who have working parents. The website utilized the flexibility of the grid layout pattern that automatically reformats itself when viewed on other platforms, making it very mobile-friendly.  The interesting page loader as well gives a playful touch to the whole concept of their website.

– URBANTIP-

Urbantip is an online concierge that serves as a guide when it comes to your outdoor getaways, night-life, daytime adventures, food trips, with so much more to offer. It’s an absolute necessity to have a mobile responsive design for this one especially for those who goes on last-minute Googling when traveling. When viewed on smaller screens, the exceptional lay-out can be more appreciated for it promotes simple and easy navigation without any hassle at all.

If you’d like to know how we can help your website to be responsive and win some Google ranking points, we’d love to hear from you! Call us at 68411680 or email us for a consultation.