Responsive Web Design

How have web designers responded to the rise of mobile devices?

One approach that rapidly gained favor with web designers was 'Responsive Design'. Rather than build multiple versions of a website for each type of device viewport, responsive design adjusts to its environment. This is achieved by combining two techniques.

Firstly, by using a 'fluid grid' system. Here the layout of the page is based on proportions as a percentage of the screen size. Secondly, the use of 'media queries' which allow transitional events to new layouts at certain break-points. The break-points are set at screen widths which can no longer be supported by the design layout.

To see Responsive design in action, open this page on a desktop browser and slowly make the browser narrower and wider. You can see the layout adjust itself to fit the new width of the browser. You should also be able to see when the design meets a break-point and the media-query is triggered resulting in a fast redrawing of the page design and layout.

Do I need a responsive website for my business?

Today the argument is academic as most developers produce responsive websites as standard. This is chiefly due to the Google’s own preferred adoption of responsive solutions over separate mobile sites which tend to duplicate content between the mobile and desktop site. If, however your current website is not tablet and smartphone friendly this might significantly impact on your search results and traffic to your website, so you should consider updating your design.

Fortunately, we are experts in building standards based mobile websites using 'Responsive Web Design' and 'Fluid Layouts' and our web design service can help your website provide a great user-experience across many devices and screen sizes. View our Website Design Packages and prices

For further information please get in touch.