When it comes to web design, most developers find themselves facing a range of difficulties, from layout and structure, right through to functionality and performance. These days, with more than 3 billion people using the internet on a daily basis, and the vast majority of these individuals doing so using a mobile phone or tablet; responsiveness has never been more important. But just what is website ‘responsiveness’ and why can it be so advantageous for a site owner?
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What is Web Responsiveness
Most people see the word responsiveness and immediately think that it means how quickly a website loads. The truth is that the term actually has nothing to do with how quickly a site loads, but how it can be accessed. Responsiveness refers to the availability of a website for mobile access. There will typically be two types of site available – those that are designed for desktop users, and the ones that are better suited to mobile viewers.
Responsiveness dictates how a site can be viewed, with the most high-performing sites offering an option for both types of visitor. Many people don’t understand the importance of this versatility, but those that do will typically turn to a third-party solution to ensure that their site’s content management is functioning as quickly and efficiently as possible, such as the Umbraco agency.
These types of services specialise in providing a solution to their customers that can roll all requirements into one platform, allowing complete control over the site’s design, layout, structure and functionality.
Are Responsive Websites an Obligation?
No, but they can certainly be beneficial. Imagine for a moment that a site is jam-packed with excellent products, with fantastic prices and an appealing variety of delivery options. Now consider that this website is only available for desktop users, and when trying to view on a mobile, everything is distorted, misplaced and awkwardly structured.
Of the 3 billion daily internet users, more than half of them use mobile devices, and if a site isn’t properly equipped to welcome them, that’s 50% of potential customers bouncing away. As most visitors will form an opinion of a website within the first 5 seconds of viewing it, a site that isn’t responsive will find itself struggling to attract an audience, let alone keep them interested.
With a responsive website design, however, there will be no interruption to a visitor’s browsing experience. Some might care enough to select the ‘display desktop view’ option on their phone, but studies have shown that the vast majority (up to 99%) of visitors will simply bounce away if the website doesn’t function as they expect.
Generally speaking, a responsive website can actually target an entirely new audience – and one that desktop websites can’t reach. There are a number of ways to implement a responsive site and with a reliable content management system, the data, imagery, content and structure can be governed using a single tool, making life all the more easy for the site’s owner.
