With about 90% of people moving between electronic devices to accomplish a sin, we’re all multi-taskers. Nowadays, there is nothing strange about researching hotels on your desktop or laptop and then booking a room on your smartphone or tablet. As a result of our device-happy culture, websites need to be able to pass the test—that is, the ones that offer a seamless experience regardless of which device they appear on tend to do best.
This is known as responsive web design, which uses "media queries" to determine the resolution of a user’s device and then adapts to it. Mashable, Grey Goose and Disney are three popular brands that have used responsive web design.
As such, there are numerous advantages for brands that create these multi-platform websites. Let’s take a look at the few big benefits.
- No app needed. Instead of creating a device-specific app, a responsive website is applicable across different devices. Some brands still choose to have an app and a website, but the concept of responsive web design has opened up more options for businesses and can save on technology costs otherwise spent to develop and update both platforms. Recent Pew research notes 60% of tablet users would rather view news on a mobile website over an app—even more impetus to turn to responsive websites.
- Less time to update. Website administrators will spend less time when they need to update their websites because they’ll only have to update one platform. Another perk: They won’t have to update it as much. This means spending less time, and thus, less money.
- Easier SEO. Instead of updating multiple sites, optimizing content for them and ensuring links work, the responsive web design model is one across-the-board fix that enables the brand to create one message and optimize it for any device, letting companies hone in on improving SEO. According to Google, responsive websites perform better in localized search results.
- Improved sales. A seamless experience that doesn’t frustrate or cut off users is surely one that is best positioned to help a company close the deal. And even if the user doesn’t make a sale on one instance, companies with responsive web designs can rest assured that their Web functionality is never a problem compared to having multiple platforms that could cause a user to encounter an issue and immediately turn to another brand. If anything, these sites boost conversion rates and get thumbs up from users. When they work and a user tells a friend (or shares about it on social media), it can drive more traffic.
With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why more businesses are turning to responsive web design. It can require less work to create and maintain one responsive website than having device-specific platforms, making it a more sustainable choice in the long run.
An entrepreneur with an eye for good design and advocate of simplicity. He brings a fresh strategy and approach to every project and plays an integral role in clients’ accomplishments through collaboration and close integration. Through his hands-on experience in technology and marketing, he ensures user experiences and technology are on the leading edge.
