What’s Responsive
Originally Published April 2016 | Updated March 2023
From desktop to tablet to cell phone, can a single website fit all of those screen sizes? If you answered ‘No’, you may want to look into that. Responsive Web Design is about using HTML and CSS to automatically resize, hide, shrink, or enlarge a website to make it look good on all devices.
With a mix of flexible grids and layouts, images, and smart use of CSS media queries, a user can switch from desktop to phone and your website will automatically adjust to accommodate resolution, image size, and scripting abilities.
If you need a concrete example of responsive website design, check out any of our client websites on a few of your devices.
What Is Responsive Website Design, Really?
As of March 2023, 60.67% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. This is a big deal. This number alone should tell you how important it is for your website to be fluid, no matter the device. Your website should maintain functionality and stay true to your brand. You can accomplish this by following three major principles of website design:
- Fluid Grid Systems
- Fluid Image Use
- Media Queries
Fluid Grid Systems
By using a fluid grid system you can create different layouts depending on the device your website is being viewed on. For example, if your website is going to be viewed on laptops, tablets, phones, or a large meeting room screen, you can use fluid grids to specify the layout for each device.
Fluid Image Use
When you place an image on your website, you need to determine the size you want it displayed at. By determining the width using percentages, you allow the image to be automatically resized to fit the device it is being viewed on.
Media Queries
Media queries are CSS features that are used to tell an internet browser how to rearrange your website layout to fit the screen size appropriately.
For example, a two-column page with a picture and text can become very distorted when going from a laptop to a mobile phone. By using a media query, you can tell the browser to change the two-column layout to a single column. This would move the image to be placed above or below the text.
A Responsive Website Design Company Gets You Results
You now have a website that flows like water into any device which views it, responds quickly, and is focused on your core message. How does this get results for your company
Cost-effectiveness
Responsive website design makes your website last longer so you don’t have to update it as often. And having one website rather than one mobile and another desktop site saves you money on hosting, support, and maintenance fees<.
Improved conversion
An optimized and consistent site, no matter which platforms it’s viewed on, provides a better experience for the user which is more likely to lead to them engaging with you.
Future-proofing
Responsive website design is a safe bet as it adapts to any device on the market and any conceivable device which will come on the market in the future.
Search Engine Optimization
Managing search engine optimization (SEO) for separate mobile and desktop sites is time-consuming, more expensive, and doesn’t produce great results. Having one site to manage and optimize means you will rank higher.
“Cohlaboration” With Cohlab
At Cohlab, we have worked closely with many businesses to help them achieve great success in their responsive website design efforts. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and provide Cohlaborative digital marketing solutions to meet your company’s needs.
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