There’s no doubt as we move further and further into the 21st century, web design is going to continue to become more and more important. But what really needs to be at the forefront of businesses minds is responsive website design. The majority of people are living their lives online on their mobile phones and despite this, many businesses still have dated websites that don’t resize correctly on mobile devices.
In this blog, we look at where the future of website design is heading and explore some of the key necessities businesses need to consider when it comes to their responsive web design.
What is responsive web design?
Responsive web design essentially allows websites and pages to render and display on all types of devices. Whether users are looking on desktop, tablet or mobile, responsive web design can automatically adapt to all screen sizes. By adopting this modern web design approach, users won’t become frustrated and businesses won’t lose valuable business leads.
Where is the future of website design heading?
We’ve already highlighted how most people are using their mobile devices to browse the internet, and mobile-first responsive web design is certainly the future of web design. Think about how often you use your own mobile or tablet device for web browsing. It’s where most people perform local searches, check their emails, browse social media and more.
In 2022, almost 60% of overall website traffic came from mobile devices, and this demand in mobile browsing proves just how much of a necessity a mobile-first approach really is. Taking this approach also allows you to streamline your website design and ensure you display only the key elements of your website prominently on smaller devices.
And it’s not just about creating a good looking static website either. With all of the technical capabilities and technologies now available, web developers and designers can create interactive elements that were once seen as impossible over a decade ago. This provides businesses the opportunity to create something truly unique to them and their brand values.
What do I need to consider for responsive website design?
Designing a website is an exciting experience, no matter the device or screen size you’re focusing on first. However, when taking a mobile-first design approach, there are a few key necessities you need to consider.
A positive user experience is key
Google’s Insight group carried out research highlighting the importance of relevance and user experience, and they found that if a mobile user does not like the look of a mobile website or find what they are looking for they will leave for another website almost immediately. They also found that if a customer has had a good mobile experience, nearly 70% of users are more likely to buy from the business or company.
By considering user experience as part of your responsive website design strategy, along with regular user experience testing, you can uncover opportunities for growth and continue to improve your website.
Website speed helps to improve your rankings
The speed at which your website loads is incredibly important. A website that loads quickly is likely to have a lower bounce rate and rank better in the search results. Google recommends that the ‘above the fold’ mobile content should load within 1 second and the entire page should load in 2 seconds. Many businesses have slow websites, because they’re either using a slow shared server or have incorrectly optimised their website.
Google’s Pierre Farr has also stated that responsive websites are better received by the search engines and rank better, as they only have a single URL and are easier to maintain then a traditional desktop website and mobile website.
Keep your content precise and concise
When you’re creating your content, remember your audience is looking for something specific – so give it to them. Don’t purposely ‘fluff’ your content to fill space. Your content should show your audience the order of importance, as this will not only explain to the user which elements of your content are most important but it also tells search engines like Google which parts of your content are authoritative.
Get in touch with our web design experts
If you are looking to update your website with a responsive design, or you’re about to embark on a mobile-first responsive web design project and you’re not sure where to begin, get in touch with us today. Our talented web design team can provide you with expert advice and even do all of the hard work for you.