Technology is advancing rapidly, especially when it comes to new devices with higher resolutions and larger screens. For web developers, this trend poses a unique challenge.
How can they keep up with new smartphones, tablets, and other new devices?
Should they create different versions of their websites, each one for a specific resolution or device?
That seems impractical, right? Well, that’s what every company wants – websites that load quickly and effortlessly on all devices. Be it a video production agency in Chennai or an eCommerce website – everyone wants these types of websites.
That’s where responsive web design helps out web developers.
What Is Responsive Web Design?
Responsive web design is the process of designing and developing websites that automatically respond to the user’s devices. Web developers use flexible grids, layouts, CSS media queries, and other elements to create responsive websites.
- When users switch from their smartphones to their laptops/iPads, responsive websites automatically adjust their resolutions, sizes, and other features. Hence, the user experience on a responsive website is consistent on all devices.
- In addition to improved UX, mobile responsive websites also attract wider audiences. Responsive websites experience way more traffic than non-responsive ones.
- These sites also experience lower bounce rates. They’re also SEO-friendlier.
- Google ranks responsive websites higher than normal websites because they’re compatible with mobile devices. Mobile users are Google’s main target.
Is your website responsive? Do not worry if it’s not. Here are some easy responsive web design techniques that will help you create the best website for your brand – Make the Website Fast-Loading
Every responsive website has one target – to provide immaculate user experiences, irrespective of what device a visitor is using. Hence, these websites should be designed to help visitors achieve the primary objectives behind their visits.
There should be no friction that prevents or slows down website users from achieving their objectives. For example, a video production company in Chennai will need a website that simplifies the process of booking their services.
A responsive web designer must eliminate any friction that slows down this process. Such a website should be designed to lead users to hiring the video production company. Hence, it should have fast-loading signing up or checkout pages.
Conditional Loading
Should a responsive website load on all devices? Yes. But, that doesn’t mean every single design element or content on the website must load on all devices. Some website elements are not suitable for mobile devices.
Some aren’t suitable for computers and laptops. Responsive web designers use conditional loading to only display suitable website elements to different sets of users. Mobile websites should ideally be clean, easy to navigate, and simple.
That’s because mobile users often use data packs to access the Internet. Hiding some elements to make their user experiences smoother and fast-loading is very important. For example, the website of a video production agency will feature several high-definition videos.
If these videos load automatically when mobile users visit the website, it may cause excessive cognitive loads on their phones. Responsive web developers avoid such issues by making certain website elements load conditionally.
Design for Taps and Swipes
You click through desktop websites. You tap and swipe your way through mobile websites. Targeting the second group of users should be your brand’s priority. After all, the future is mobile.
Your responsive website should be optimized to serve mobile users who tap and swipe their way through mobile websites. Here’s how responsive web designers achieve this goal –
- The primary navigation features of mobile websites are at the bottom, not the top. In desktop websites, navigation features are usually at the top. However, the thumbs of mobile users don’t reach the top of the screens comfortably. Hence, placing the primary navigation features of the website at the bottom makes it more mobile user-friendly.
- All interactive elements of the responsive website should be oriented to the screen’s central regions. That’s because mobile users find it difficult to get to the sides/corners of mobile screens with their thumbs.
- If your website sells products/services, provide two-step authentication features. These verification or authentication steps are very difficult to complete via laptops or desktops. But, on smartphones, these processes are super-easy. Add security and mobile-friendliness to your responsive website by adding this feature.
- Include voice search terms on your responsive website. Mobile users often use voice searches on Google or Amazon to find specific things on the Internet. Optimize the website for such users.
Therefore, having a website may create sales opportunities in various ways. All you need is to tap the resources and make the most of the opportunities.
Responsive Typography
Can the text on your website be responsive as well? Yes. Top responsive web developers use “EM” units to outline font sizes. One “EM” equals one point. They use tools like InVision to create responsive pixels. These pixels adjust themselves accordingly on different devices with different resolutions.
These responsive web design techniques will help you take your website to the next level. Drive more traffic to your website by applying these techniques!