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So much has been written about responsive web design recently that it’s almost impossible to take in all of the available information that keeps popping up online; in fact, 2013 is even being hailed as the year of responsive layouts, which explains the current abundance of articles and blog posts on the subject. So, instead of delving into all the ins and outs of responsive web design (something which a web developer will be able to do for you anyway if needed), here are just a few points to consider if you’re thinking about going responsive this year.

What Is Responsive Web Design?
In a nutshell, a responsive layout of a website is one that works across all devices – from desktop computers to laptops to netbooks to tablets to smartphones… you get the idea. The aim is to create a simple yet effective site that is quick to load, easy to use, and that will encourage potential clients to stay on the site long enough to carry out the desired action. Resizing a company’s normal site to fit the dimensions of a smartphone or tablet screen simply won’t cut it – instead, you need to cut out all unnecessary images, videos, and any other items that could slow down the loading time. Menus need to be easy to navigate, and all of the important contact information has to be in a clear, accessible place. All text should also be clear and easy to read. It’s simple, but it’s amazing how many businesses don’t take mobile platforms into account when designing their sites, leaving users trying to pinch and twist their way round a slow, confusing website.

Why Go Responsive?
Your business website is often the first port of call for potential customers, and therefore, you need to make a good first impression. This is why many companies – of all shapes and sizes – spend a good portion of their marketing budget on their website and blog. This is all very well, but if you’re ignoring the millions of smartphone and tablet users out there (especially users who don’t have any other way of connecting to the internet on a regular basis), then you’re setting yourself up to fail. Before you look at getting a responsive layout, you’ll need to do some research concerning your official business website. How much traffic do you get? How much of that traffic are mobile and smartphone users? Which elements of the site are used the most – e.g. the search function? Doing this kind of analysis will help you to discover which parts of your site are the most important, and which ones can be left out of a responsive design. If your research tells you that a high percentage of your potential customers are using mobile devices to browse your site, then you’ll know that spending the money on going responsive will be a good investment for your business.

To find out more about responsive web layouts, head online and get advice from a professional web development company. They’ll be able to design your site for you, as well as analysing your traffic and supporting you in your website needs in the future.

By Chelsey Evans

Follow @AmpheonLtd