MOBILE-FRIENDLY WEBSITE DESIGN
Responsive Web Design
How unpleasant is it to use your phone to open a website just to find out it is limited to a desktop view?
Websites that require side-scrolling and screen-pinching when used on mobile devices instantly scare off mobile visitors.
Your website is a chance to bring in potential clients and customers, but that’s not possible if people can’t access it. Responsive web design makes your website accessible to mobile Internet users which helps boost visitor retention and sales.
Here at 11 Marketing + Design, the innovative tools we use to create websites allows us to design in multiple views including desktop, tablet, and mobile. This is how we ensure responsivity.
What is Responsive Web Design?
At the dawn of its creation, the Internet was not yet accessible through mobile devices. Website design was a little more basic than what it is today, and online reviewing platforms were not a thing. A Wi-Fi connection wasn’t even necessary for businesses to operate at this time.
Today, the Internet is a powerhouse for generating business in industries of every kind. The widespread use of mobile phones has contributed more to the evolution of online business development than anything else.
Early website developers never had to consider the possibility of their websites being seen on screens other than computers. Web designers now have to incorporate responsive web design into every site they produce in order to cater to all Internet users.
Since over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, responsive web design is an essential part in the creation of a website.
Make the Best Impression
No one, and I mean no one, wants to screen pinch and side scroll to be able to see what is on a website. Websites designed like this garner a bad reputation, do not rank in SERPs, and have poor visitor retention.
Users make snap judgements based on web design and layout. You only have a few seconds to captivate your audience and keep them engaged, or you risk losing them, possibly forever.
With over 60% of Internet access being done through a mobile device, ensuring a mobile friendly experience is more important than ever.
Online Shopping on Mobile Devices is More Popular Than Ever
Online shopping has grown considerably over the last decade. Consumers have been increasingly using their smartphones to make online purchases. This is known as m-commerce, or mobile commerce, which refers to the buying and selling of goods through mobile devices.
The popularity of e-commerce and m-commerce to make purchases is sure to remain. Businesses need to be able to modify their websites to fit every screen, or at least the most popular ones, to ensure a pleasant experience for every customer who pays them a visit.
If you notice you are receiving a lot of traffic to your website, but are having trouble making sales, it could be from a lack of responsivity.
M-commerce is now sitting at 72.9% of the total e-commerce market share. This 39.1% jump in six years shows how sought-after m-commerce has become and is an even bigger indicator that business owners should be investing in the responsive design of their website.
How do you make websites responsive?
Internet use via smartphones has seen an impressive rise in the last decade. People are using their phones to search topics and find products as fast and easy as possible.
When using a phone to view a website, the layout is much different than it would be on a computer screen. If it is not easily navigable, the majority of people will move on to the next one.
Creating a responsive website can be done a few different ways. One way is through the use of breakpoints. These breakpoints are designed to elicit a response from the website that forces it to fit the screen it is being viewed on.
Think about how a website is set up to appear on a computer. The navigation menu is located at the top or on the side of the screen and usually fully visible. When the website is accessed through a phone, the menu won’t be able to fit the screen in the same place it appears in the desktop view.
Usually, there is a button that reveals the menu instead of it being viewable at all times. This is so all other content can be easily seen by the user.
Another way to incorporate responsive design into your website is through the use of what is called a fluid grid.
A fluid grid allows you to position content in a way that is visually appealing across any device it is accessed through using a flexible element. Depending on the device being used, the website’s format is altered to create a more user-friendly layout to accommodate different screen sizes.
Remember that most mobile devices and tablets operate using a touchscreen. On desktops, buttons and links are usually easier to find and click with the use of a mouse. On smaller screens, items need to be altered to be pressed with the touch of a finger. Ensure your website is responsive by using your smartphone and tablet to look it over.
Credibility boosts revenue
People need to know you are trustworthy before they decide to do business with you. Your website will be a source for them to look at to determine your credibility.
People tend to make judgments about a business based on the design of its website. In fact, 75% of people said they determine how credible a business is based on the appearance and navigability of their website.
An outdated website that is difficult to navigate can give users a bad impression. If visitors are comfortable using your website across different devices, they’re more likely to stay on it longer which will result in a higher chance that they make a purchase.
By having a poorly designed website, you are basically driving traffic straight to the competition. User-experience is important, and the functionality of your site directly contributes to this experience.
Fostering a positive experience will help keep consumers engaged and coming back. The more traffic to your website, the more opportunities to make a sale.
Retain More Visitors
The simpler you make it, the more pleased they’ll be.
People are busier than ever in today’s fast-moving world and have a deep appreciation for things that are made easier for them.
A survey performed by the National Retail Federation shined a light on just how important convenience is to consumers. It found that 9 in 10 prospective customers will decide on where to take their business based on convenience.
People don’t want to navigate difficult websites. In fact 38% of users said they would stop engaging with a website if the layout and content is unattractive.
How can I get a responsive website designed for my business?
Approximately 75% of the visitors that come to your website are using a mobile device. We can help you build a site that is specifically optimized for your potential customers using responsive web design.
Responsive Design Increases Sales
Consumers are using their phones to make online purchases more and more, so ensuring a positive experience through your website is essential.
When users visit your website, you want to make sure you are providing them with the best interaction possible. In doing so, you increase your level of customer satisfaction and chances of making a sale.
If people have difficulty viewing your website, they won’t stay on it. Plenty of other websites exist that possess an easy-to-use build. Your insufficient website could be supporting the competition.
Responsive Design Improves SEO
There are many factors playing into how well your website ranks on search engines, but Google takes a liking to websites that are mobile friendly. Since the majority of Internet activity is performed on mobile devices, this makes sense. Google tends to reward websites that adhere to as many user-friendly tactics as possible.
Here at 11 Marketing + Design, we know how important it is to keep up with the times. Making sure the website created for you has integrated Responsive Website Design is essential to ensure a pleasant experience for all users. Going out of your way to make your website as simple to use as possible will also garner trust among users and let them know you are capable of exceeding their expectations.
Mobile SEO
The process of optimizing the mobile version of your website to make it more visible on search engines is referred to as mobile SEO.
Just like any other kind of SEO, incorporating both on-page and off-page elements will give you the greatest return. Including carefully researched keywords in the content you post as well as technical components like responsive design will give you the most worthwhile results.