What is a responsive website? |
Posted: April 1, 2015 |
The responsive design is gaining popularity over the past three years and now it’s considered essential for every successful website. What greatly contributes to the constantly growing popularity of one of the hottest web trends of 2013, is that it allows professionals to design web pages that can fit any type of device and screen size. Whether you visit the website from 10-inch notebook or tablet or via your 4-inch smartphone, you will enjoy the same browsing experience as with your desktop computer, in some cases even better. Responsive vs. “Fixed” Web DesignBefore responsive design gain its popularity, people created websites with fixed size, which when viewed via different devices look the same. However, if a certain website displays well on Desktop computer, it will most definitely not be displayed in full size when viewed via 10inch tablet and reading the content via mobile phone can prove to be quite a challenge. Furthermore, often the different page elements get scrambled around the screen and can cover major parts of the web content. The responsive design on the other hand, the width of the page and all its elements is resized to fit the screen of the device. Images and other elements, as well as layout columns will also resize to provide proper browsing experience and not distort the content. Responsive Web Design in PracticeFor websites with fixed width, the size of the different elements available is included in pixels, while responsive design involves position the elements on flexible grid and using proportions to align the different elements. For example, if a website consist of three layout columns, they will be resized based on their relation with the proportions of the other columns used on the page. The same goes for all other images used on the website, which are then relatively resized to fit the particular column. Common Issues with Responsive Web DesignLoading speed is the most common issue with responsive design and mobile accessibility, as often the connection speed available to these users is much lower than desktop connectivity. Advertisements, graphics and navigation elements, need to be adjusted to help improve the loading speed of the entire website and provide the best browsing experience for mobile users. It’s a good to create bigger navigation elements, display less images and use smaller ad sizes. All these elements make up for really large portion of the resources needed to load certain website. Another common issue with this trend is that people also feel that they need to develop additional mobile apps for specific smartphone users, as it was popular in the past. The truth is that when your website is easily accessible for mobile users, you don’t need to invest anything in mobile apps for specific devices, as it is displayed in the best manner on any type or brand of device. Don’t waste your time developing website mobile application for certain, rather small group of users, instead go for responsive design and save yourself a lot of hassle. What’s Next?If your website is not easily accessible from mobile devices, you are missing out on many visitors and leads. The responsive web design is often the easiest and most importantly cheapest way to transform your “fixed” website to design marvel on tablets and smartphones. You have the choice to hire freelancers or use the services of local Design & Branding agency, such as Creative Catalyst.
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