Why You Need Responsive Design
For the first time since 2001 PC sales are projected to decline in 2013. Replacing them will be a myriad of mobile devices from smartphones to tablet computers with different screen sizes and processing power. Tablet sales are expected to exceed 100 million units this year, and smartphone sales will top 600 million. That's a 50% gain over the previous year.
There's no question that web sites that can offer a premium experience to mobile users will have a strong leg up on their competition.
The problem becomes how to deliver that experience. For several years specialized mobile applications were the hot ticket. They provide ease of use and direct access to relevant data for the user. But these mobile applications essential require web site owners to duplicate their content and create a custom interface or application for multiple devices. It's a painful process, but until recently, a necessary evil.
Website with Responsive Design responds to the devices display size, querying it and adjusts its page layout. No more fixed width tables or graphics requiring cumbersome scrolling. Text and graphics are rearranged as objects, or re-sized, following the site's CSS style rules to deliver content that is easy to read and navigate regardless of the display dimensions. The result is one web site supporting many devices.
The consequences of Responsive Design for early adopters could be profound. Eliminating duplicate sites and content not only saves on development and maintenance costs, but also reduces the effort required for inbound link building. A link to the main web site is a link for the mobile site. The mobile site will instantly benefit from inbound links already present on the main web site. As mobile usage increases, new inbound links will combine with the main site to create a stronger link profile than is possible for the two sites operating separately, as with standard mobile apps.
In addition, providing a pleasant experience for the mobile user translates into low visitor bounce rates. Search engines such as Google put a high premium on sites with low bounce rates and high inbound links. It's no wonder Google recommends responsive web design.
So if you're building a new website, or planning a redesign of an old site, considering Responsive Design from the get go will benefit you greatly. And as an early adopter, your site will stand out as fresh and innovative, leading your competition.
Why You Need Responsive Design
There's no question that web sites that can offer a premium experience to mobile users will have a strong leg up on their competition.The problem becomes how to deliver that experience. For several years specialized mobile applications were the hot ticket. They provide ease of use and direct access to relevant data for the user. But these mobile applications essential require web site owners to duplicate their content and create a custom interface or application for multiple devices. It's a painful process, but until recently, a necessary evil.
Website with Responsive Design responds to the devices display size, querying it and adjusts its page layout. No more fixed width tables or graphics requiring cumbersome scrolling. Text and graphics are rearranged as objects, or re-sized, following the site's CSS style rules to deliver content that is easy to read and navigate regardless of the display dimensions. The result is one web site supporting many devices.
The consequences of Responsive Design for early adopters could be profound. Eliminating duplicate sites and content not only saves on development and maintenance costs, but also reduces the effort required for inbound link building. A link to the main web site is a link for the mobile site. The mobile site will instantly benefit from inbound links already present on the main web site. As mobile usage increases, new inbound links will combine with the main site to create a stronger link profile than is possible for the two sites operating separately, as with standard mobile apps.
In addition, providing a pleasant experience for the mobile user translates into low visitor bounce rates. Search engines such as Google put a high premium on sites with low bounce rates and high inbound links. It's no wonder Google recommends responsive web design.
So if you're building a new website, or planning a redesign of an old site, considering Responsive Design from the get go will benefit you greatly. And as an early adopter, your site will stand out as fresh and innovative, leading your competition.