6 Reasons Why You Need a Responsive Web Design

Today’s world is all about access. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops; people use all sorts of devices to get on the web. So, what if your website works great on a laptop but not on a phone? Well, this limits your audience’s options in terms of accessing you. The solution? A responsive web design! With it, no matter where they view your website, they’ll have an optimal experience. Not only that, it brings about greater user satisfaction, search engine rankings, and improves your bottom line. 

Here’s why having a responsive website is more important than ever.

1. Improves User Experience
User experience (UX) is everything. Imagine using your phone to visit a website and seeing that the graphics are off-centre, the writing is small, and you need to zoom in simply to read the most basic information. Frustrating right? Your users could be using a huge desktop or a small phone, so a responsive design will need to adjust to multiple screen sizes to provide them with a smooth experience. Simple navigation, readable text, and appropriately scaled images all significantly improve your visitor satisfaction and engagement.

2. Increases Mobile Traffic
It is no longer optional to accommodate mobile consumers since mobile devices account for 63.38% of all web traffic worldwide. When your website is responsive, mobile users will presume it’s free of broken layouts and awkward scrolling. This increases the potential of conversions by keeping them on your site longer. In other words, you may be losing a sizable percentage of your potential audience if your website isn't responsive.

3. Boosts SEO and Search Rankings
Google has made it known that your web ranking is influenced by mobile-friendliness. Because mobile-friendly websites rank higher in search results, a responsive web design has a direct effect on your SEO efforts. This is because it communicates to search engines that your website is user-friendly and accessible. Plus, Google currently uses mobile-first indexing, which means that when deciding ranks, it prioritises a website's mobile content. Thus, it deems responsive design vital to exposure.

4. Simplifies Maintenance
It’s expensive and time-consuming to maintain different versions of a website. However, a responsive design simplifies operations and conserves resources. It reduces the number of websites you need to maintain and update. So, any modifications you make will take effect immediately across all devices. This way, your website remains current and consistent without requiring twice as much work.

5. Increases Conversion Rates
Be it while filling out a form or purchasing a product, your users don’t like to waste time! The easier you make it for them to complete a desired action, the more probable it is they will. So, with a responsive design, you need to make sure that they don’t struggle with a poorly formatted page or small tasks that waste time. This improved ease of use leads to higher conversion rates, and ultimately, a more profitable website.

6. Enhances Social Sharing
People love to share content on social media, especially on their mobile devices which is great news for your business as it increases your reach. However, if your website doesn’t have a responsive design, the chances of this happening are slim. Moreover, if a new visitor lands on your page from a shared link and the site doesn’t look right, they’re more likely to click away - and you don’t want that.

Conclusion
So, now you know: a responsive web design isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a totally must-have. Remember, get your business looking good on all types of devices in order to reach and engage with a broader audience. Think of it as an investment that will not only benefit your visitor, but also keep your brand competitive and relevant.

Our website health check can assess whether or not you have a website with a responsive design. It also delves into other reasons why your website might be being held back, with poor online visibility. Call for us to take a look under the bonnet of your website today.
​

give us a call!