Most businesses focus on making their website mobile-friendly but not mobile-responsive. While it might seem like a subtle semantic difference, a responsive website makes a website more user-friendly and accessible, according to custom web development specialists.
Defining Mobile Responsive Websites
A mobile-friendly website only adjusts the page size on a smart device or tablet; it does not alter the layout. A mobile-responsive website changes the layout and may add buttons or tabs depending on the device. For example, a company can include a call button for a smartphone or mobile layout, allowing consumers to touch to dial.
Unlike traditional methods for creating mobile sites, a business no longer needs to maintain a different website for each device. A responsive website is a single system, meaning a company only needs one URL. The system allows for a flexible layout, allowing sites to change according to the screen size and device used.
More users than ever are using smartphones to access digital content. If a company fails to use mobile responsive designs, consumers will often abandon the web page. Also, if a website takes over three seconds to load, consumers will move on to the next search result.
Understanding the Benefits of a Mobile Responsive Design
A mobile-responsive web design is vital to marketplace success. Consumers want easy-to-navigate pages, regardless of the device they use. They also want companies to accommodate their shopping and viewing needs depending on their device. If your business has yet to update its website to a mobile-responsive design, consider the benefits of the upgrade.
Improved User Experience
The design provides a better user experience across multiple devices. The responsive approach ensures specific devices have appropriate features to make the experience more approachable. For example, smartphone users can scroll up and down to read or explore the website; they do not need to scroll horizontally or zoom in on text.
Increased Efficiency
With only one URL, companies can save money. Before RWDs, it was common for a business to have multiple URLs for different device sizes, meaning it had to pay for the hosting of multiple sites. Also, the company had to pay in-house or contracted designers to create each variation.
Also, a responsive design makes it easier to update your website. You or your team can make quick design edits once rather than several times across multiple sites.
Better Reach
Because the website automatically adjusts to the user’s device, it is more accessible. Satisfied phone and tablet users will convert more often. With over 57% of internet users accessing sites from multiple devices, a company is bound to expand its reach with responsive design.
Higher Search Rankings
Google announced mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor all the way back in 2015. It only makes sense that improved mobile responsiveness will increase your website rankings. Also, higher rankings typically equate to higher conversions and more profit.
Hiring a Web Development Company To Handle Responsive Design
People assume that a custom web development service is expensive. While specialized services do cost money, you always need to put the costs in perspective.
If you do not hire a web development company to design your new responsive website, you will need to hire an in-house team to do it. To hire a team, you will need to recruit talent, invest in training, pay benefits, etc. Your expenses skyrocket. While a large corporation might be able to eat the costs of an in-house team, most small and medium-sized businesses cannot.
Hiring an outside service is usually more affordable. If you want to learn more about responsive web design or digital marketing, contact Unwired Web Solutions, a reputable full-service digital marketing agency in Canada.