According to recent studies, we’re browsing on the go more than ever. Around 53% of all global web traffic comes from mobile users. With the growing popularity of tablets and smartphones, visitors can check your brand’s site from anywhere!

Of course, this kind of browsing is sometimes easier said than done. Without responsive web design services, your site may be hard for mobile users to access. Worse, clunky or awkward layouts and browsing difficulties may make your site visitors hit the back button and head to a competitor’s site.

How do you make sure your site works well for any user? Let’s take a look at the basics of the responsive website trend, how to tell when you have a responsive site, and why it’s crucial for your brand.

What Is a Responsive Website?

A responsive website adapts to any device a visitor is using.

If someone visits using a desktop browser, for example, the website fits the width of their computer screen. If they return to the site using their smartphone, the display narrows to fit. They may also see things like call-to-action buttons that prompt them to call instead of clicking.

Even better, responsive websites fit on screens of any size. This means that the display adapts to various smartphones, tablets, and even things like smart TVs!

How Does Responsive Design Work?

To adjust their displays, responsive sites must use a few essential design elements.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is the backbone of this design. This type of code allows your site to change its style properties depending on a device’s screen size, orientation, resolution, and more. In addition to HTML, CSS is what helps your site display its main elements, content, and structure.

Media queries, an aspect of CSS, also play a huge role. These queries allow sites to collect data about a visitor’s device, adjusting the website layout to match.

Fluid layouts help ensure that elements display on a set percentage of a screen, while flexbox layouts ensure that they expand to fill available free space.

Why Does Responsive Web Design Matter?

If you run a business, responsive web design is an absolute must. Here are some key advantages to consider:

A Single Website

An alternative to responsive design is to build separate URLs for different devices. This would require users to visit a mobile-friendly version of your site that still might not be a perfect fit for their screen.

Instead, responsive design allows you to create a single website, which is convenient for you and your customers. It also means developers don’t have to create multiple versions of each page using redirects for different devices.

Catering to Mobile

As stated above, the majority of internet users access the web via mobile.

This segment of your customers is crucial to consider. Around three-quarters of U.S. adults prefer to make purchases via smartphone. Users who buy on a desktop or come to a brick-and-mortar location often first research their next steps on a smartphone.

If your site doesn’t cater to these mobile users, you’re creating unnecessary friction in their purchasing journey.

Higher Conversion Rates

Fewer frustrated visitors leaving your site means a lower bounce rate. Low bounce rates often mean a higher conversion rate. Users who experience a secure, streamlined, professional website are less likely to turn to a competitor when they can’t get what they need from your brand.

Faster Pages

We’ve mentioned above that there are alternatives to responsive web design, but these options will often slow down your site.

Websites that are optimized for mobile use, on the other hand, are easier to navigate. Their page loading speed is often faster, taking fewer seconds to load.

Better SEO

Even if nothing above matters to you, keep in mind that Google prefers mobile-friendly design! Google Search uses responsive web design as a ranking signal, meaning that responsive sites are more likely to rank higher in the search engine results pages. This is ideal for visibility and can help you attract a larger audience.

Is My Website Responsive?

If you had someone else create your business website or you did it yourself with cookie-cutter online tools, you might not know if your site is responsive. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to tell.

Using a browser on a computer, resize the browser window. The site should adapt to smaller sizes by changing the display to fit. If you notice instead that the images and text get cut off in a smaller window, your site may not be responsive.

You can also right-click anywhere on your screen and select “Inspect.” Major browsers like Chrome and Firefox allow you to see the site you’re viewing in “Responsive Design Mode,” which you can find by clicking the icon that looks like a tablet or computer. This mode allows you to see what your screen will look like on Apple and Android devices of different sizes.

Last, don’t forget about Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, which can help you check individual pages.

Choosing Responsive Web Design Services

Not all companies are equipped to create beautiful and functional responsive sites. If you’re building a website, how do you choose the right company for responsive design?

First, ask for case studies. If the designer’s website mentions previous clients, you can also visit those clients’ sites to check the web design.

You should also request references. Speak with previous clients to see how satisfied they are with their website and their working partnership.

Look for a designer with experience working with clients that match your industry or business model. This ensures that your site’s style, features, and functions will work for your needs.

Get multiple quotes. Responsive web design is often more cost-effective than alternative strategies, but it’s still a good idea to find the right fit within your budget.

Work With Optic Marketing Group

Responsive web design services can make or break your company’s site. That’s why it’s crucial to trust an experienced brand with the design!

At Optic Marketing Group, we’re proud to offer a range of web design services from our Tampa headquarters. We work with clients in various home care industries, from HVAC brands to plumbing companies. Contact us today at 1-844-700-4781 to learn what we can do for you.