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Responsive Web Design 101

Responsive web design is an approach to web design that makes websites look great on all devices, from small phone screens to large desktop monitors. In responsive design, content is flexible and adjusts to fit the screen size it's being viewed on. This means that you don't need a separate mobile website - your website will work on any device.
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Why Use Responsive Web Design

Responsive design is important because it means that your website will be accessible to everyone, regardless of what device they’re using. This is vital in today’s mobile-first world, where more people are accessing the internet from their phones and tablets than from desktop computers.

How does responsive web design work

Responsive web design is an approach to web design that makes websites look great on all devices, from small phone screens to large desktop monitors.

In responsive design, content is flexible and adjusts to fit the screen size it’s being viewed on. This means that you don’t need a separate mobile website – your website will work on any device.

Since responsive design is based on percentages instead of fixed dimensions, the layout of a responsive website will change depending on the size of the screen it’s being viewed on. For example, if you have a sidebar on your website, it will be displayed on the page in its entirety on a desktop computer, but it will be displayed as a column down the side of the page on a phone or tablet.

The benefits of responsive web design are that your website will look great on any device, and you won’t need to create different versions of your website for different devices. This is important because more people are accessing the internet from their phones and tablets than from desktop computers.

whats the purpose of responsive web design

The purpose of responsive web design is to be better at delivering your message. Brand consistency , clear calls-to-action, and easy-to-read content are essential for any website, no matter what device it’s being viewed on.

If you are an online business, have a digital presence or find the need to communicate online then you’ll most likely want users to be able to convert on your website without hassle. A conversion could be as simple as a user submitting their email address to receive more information from you or signing up for a free trial of your product. Having a website that is easy to use and looks great on all devices will help increase your conversion rate and improve your overall online success.

why responsive web design is good for SEO

One of the main reasons why responsive web design is good for SEO is because it makes your website mobile-friendly. Google’s algorithm favors websites that are mobile-friendly, so if your website is not responsive, you’re at a disadvantage.

Another reason why responsive web design is good for SEO is that it can help to improve your website’s speed. By only loading necessary items on your site, those that will be seen on a smaller screen, your performance improves. Speed is a ranking factor for Google, so a fast website will help you rank higher in the search results.

Some of the ways you can currently test this on your site is to look inside your Google Search Console report (free tool from Google) to see if how many pages are available for mobile. Check the “mobile usability report” along the lefthand side of the GSC dashboard.

how to create a responsive website

There are a few ways to create a responsive website. There are a few main ways listed below but quite often if you are using a page building software (such as WordPress) or a website builder (such as Squarespace) they will have built in responsive design features so you don’t have to know code.

1. Use a responsive web design template: There are many responsive templates available online, and most web design software packages include responsive templates.

2. Use CSS media queries: CSS media queries allow you to target specific devices or screen sizes and create different versions of your website for different devices.

3. Use a responsive framework: A responsive framework is a set of CSS and JavaScript files that help you create responsive websites quickly and easily.

Once you’ve created your responsive website, you’ll need to test it to make sure it looks and works the way you want it to on all devices. You can use online testing tools to check how your website looks on different devices, or you can use a device simulator to see how your website looks on different screen sizes.

4. Use a CMS: Using a content management system like WordPress or Squarespace can go a long way as they take the need to know code out of the picture. 

Responsive web design services

When you’re looking for a responsive web design services there are a few routes to go. The first major decisions is how much of a part do you want to play in the creation process. You have three different level of options, all of which can be found online. Some of the deciding factors for which route you might go will come down to your budget and amount of time you want to invest.

hands on (DIY)

The first option is to build the website yourself. Perhaps you are versed in coding or are using a CMS (content management system), such as WordPress or Squarespace to build the website. If this is you, then you may just need someone to review your work and give you a few pointers before it goes live. This is definitely the cheapest option and you can get started immediately.

A lot of times people want to be more hands-off with the web design process and hire someone to take care of everything for them. This is where working with an agency or freelancer comes in.

contractor/freelancer

The second option is to find a contractor or freelancer to work with you on the project. This is a great option if you have ideas for your website but don’t necessarily know how to put them into fruition. You will be working more directly with this person and giving feedback along the way during each stage of development.

Depending on your needs you can either request to learn along the way (to be able to edit the site yourself in the future) or simply request they take care of everything, so you can focus on running your business. This is going to be a lower to mid-priced option and may not be as of an immediate start as doing it yourself.

full agency

The third, and priciest option, is to hire an agency. This is a great option if you want the full-service experience and have a more complex website or application. Working with an agency, you will have a team of designers, developers, project managers, and account executives working on your website.

This level of service is going to come at a higher price point, but it will also offer a more 24/7 comprehensive service than a independent contractor might provide.

When considering the level of service you need, you should also consider what your budget looks like and how much time you are willing to invest in the project. One of the reasons a full scale agency is going to be the most expensive is that they will need to pay more people on their end throughout the process.

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