Previously, a website had to be designed in two separate versions: the standard web design for computers and a mobile-friendly version for the smaller screens of handheld devices. Responsive web design has bridged that gap quite effectively. In other words, responsive is the new mobile-friendly.

What is Responsive Web Design?

As the name clearly states, responsive web design enables websites to ‘respond’ to different screen sizes. Rather than having to create different versions of a website to suit various screen sizes, responsive web design adapts the website so that it fits perfectly. For instance, if you open up the website on your iPhone, the website will present you its iPhone-friendly version. This enables users to view the version of the website that has been optimized for the device they are using. You can switch between devices without compromising on your user experience for a particular website.

Why Responsive Web Design Is Important

Over the past few years, the trend of using mobile devices for browsing the internet has taken off. More people than ever are using the internet on their smartphones and tablets. The day is not far off when these devices would outnumber computers and laptops. This puts into perspective the importance of responsive web design and how it has come about at the best possible time. The most important aspect of responsive web design is that it has improved the user experience considerably. Given that user experience is an important factor for a website’s SEO, responsive design is crucial for marketers as well.

The Benefits of Responsive Web Design

Now that you know what responsive web design is, here are the benefits you can reap while using it.

• Webmasters no longer have to create separate versions of their website for different screen sizes. This reduces their costs as well as the effort they have to put in to maintain different versions of their website.
• It is now possible to target both mobile and desktop users through the same channels as your website will appear in the same form to both. This makes marketing much easier for you.
• Providing optimal user experience ensures that your visitors keep coming back to your website. After all, no one would want to visit a website that doesn’t load properly on the device they are using.
• The limitations of mobile-friendly web design are eliminated.

The only catch of using responsive web design is that it may slow down the website’s loading time. As the technology improves, you can expect this problem to be solved as well.

There is little doubt that responsive website design is a game-changer. If your website doesn’t have a responsive design, you are missing out.