If you’ve been online for some time, you’ve probably heard about responsive web design. But what is it, exactly? And more importantly, how do you make it happen on your website?
In this article, we’ll define responsive web design, talk about the benefits of using it and give you some tips for getting started. We suggest that you discuss these with your Sydney website designer, so they can include it in their plan.
What is responsive web design?
Responsive web design is a term that was coined by Ethan Marcotte in an article for A List Apart back in 2010. It’s a method of building websites that allows them to adapt to the size of the user’s screen, whether that’s a desktop computer, a tablet or a smartphone. This means that your website will look great no matter how your visitors are accessing it.
Benefits of a responsive web design
There are plenty of good reasons to make your website responsive. These include:
- You’ll reach more people.
With over half of all internet traffic now coming from mobile devices, it’s more important than ever to make sure your site can be accessed on those devices. If your website isn’t responsive, you could be missing out on a lot of potential visitors.
- It’s better for SEO.
Google has stated that they prefer responsive websites and they’re more likely to rank higher in search results.
- You’ll save time and money.
With a responsive website, you only have to build and maintain one site instead of two (or more). This has the potential to save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
- It’s easier for users.
A responsive website is easy to use, no matter what device your visitors are using. They won’t have to zoom in and out or scroll horizontally to view your content, which makes for a much better user experience overall.
Tips for making your website responsive
Now that you know all about responsive web design, you’re probably wondering how you can make your own website responsive. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start with the basics.
Before you start making any changes, it’s important to have a solid foundation in place. This means having a well-designed website that’s easy to use and navigate. If your site is confusing or difficult to use, making it responsive won’t necessarily fix those problems.
- Think about your layout.
When you’re designing your responsive website, think carefully about the layout of your content. You’ll need to rearrange things so that they fit nicely on smaller screens. This is why it’s important to plan ahead.
- Use media queries.
Media queries are a powerful tool that allows you to change the CSS of your site based on the size of the user’s screen. This is how you can make sure your content looks good no matter what device it’s being viewed on.
- Test, test, test.
Once you’ve made your website responsive, it’s important to test it out on as many devices as possible. This will help you catch any potential problems and ensure that your site looks great no matter what.
Conclusion
Making your website responsive doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the tips we mentioned above, you can create a responsive website that not only looks great but also provides a better experience for your users.