Consumers have been using mobiles in order to look for information on products and services. In this process, they look for company’s websites, read product reviews, watch videos, etc. using their mobiles. Thus, it is imperative that web designers and developers create a website that works well on mobiles too. Creating a website compatible with desktop is important but if that website does not work properly on mobiles, where most of the consumers are present, chances are you will lose your potential consumers to other websites. Not only that, your website must work well on different multi screens gadgets. This approach whereby a designer creates a web page that resizes or responds depending on the type of gadget it is being seen through is called Responsive Web Design.
The Concept of Responsive Web Design
The concept of “Responsive Web Design” was introduced by Ethan Marcotte, the web designer and developer, in an article published in 2010 on alistpart.com. The concept of responsive web design grew so popular that sites like Mashable declared 2013 as the year of responsive web design.
The need for responsive web design rose when people started using multiple screens of different dimensions, having different pixel densities or static measurements.
Why Responsive Web Design?
Mentioned below are reasons as to why your website needs to be responsive. Let’s take a look:
1. Increased Mobile Usage
With proliferation of Smartphones and mobile apps, the ways people search online has changed dramatically. According to a research, around 20 per cent of Google searches are being done using a mobile device. To respond to this growing trend, even Google rolled out a new algorithm called ‘Hummingbird’. This algorithm was released with the purpose of enhancing user’s mobile experience. Now when your consumers are hopping over their mobiles and searching you, getting a responsive web design for your company’s website isn’t a bad idea. Is it?
2. Engaged Customers, Profitable Customers
According to a survey done by Google’s Think Insights, if a user gets frustrated using your mobile website or if he does not get right information, there is approx 61 per cent chance that he will switch to other website. On the contrary, if your mobile website provides them positive experience, there are 67 per cent chances that they will buy product or service.
3. Social Media Drives Mobile Traffic
Brands that are active on social media networks must have observed increased mobile traffic. This is due to the fact that more and more people perform social media activities using their mobile phones. If you share content on social platforms, people are more likely to visit your company’s website using their mobiles.
4. Usage of Multiple Gadgets will Increase
In future, large number of people will have access to gadgets of different screen size and dimensions. Ipads, tablets and Smartphones of various sizes are already in use. Thus, it becomes required of a company to own a website which can respond to all screen sizes.
Going forward, it will be important for brands to provide mobile users with an easy-to-use experience. Having a mobile friendly website is no more a fancy idea, rather it is a necessity to boost your sales. Think about it!