Advantages of Responsive Web Design for Businesses

A website is essential to every business’ success. Without an online presence, a business will miss out on acquiring new customers and will likely lose existing ones as well.

However, merely having a website is not enough. With the technology available today, anyone can build a website. For a business to truly benefit from a website, it needs to consider implementing responsive web design.

What is responsive web design?

The core principle behind responsive web design is that a website can be viewed on any device without compromising any of the site’s elements, thus providing a fluid user experience. Whether a user is viewing a website on a desktop, a mobile phone, or a tablet, he should have the same experience.

This is achieved by developing and designing the site in such a way that it will automatically detect the device being used and adjust elements such as the display size and menu locations.

Advantages of responsive web design

Expand your reach
In 2016, 68.87% of Australians accessed the internet via their mobile devices. By the end of 2018, this is expected to reach 71.54%. This means that most customers are viewing your site on the go, and if you want to reach more people, responsive web design is key.

Increase visibility by ranking higher on Google

While Google’s ranking algorithm changes often, some factors remain constant. This includes site speed and usability. With responsive design, your business website will essentially be on autopilot. It will load the required elements depending on the device without manual interference, ensuring that mobile load speed isn’t compromised. This contributes to higher rankings, which translates into more people discovering your site.

Furthermore, you don’t have to run search engine optimisation (SEO) campaigns for different platforms. With responsive web design, a centralised SEO campaign will affect all devices.

Boost your conversion rates

Another advantage of responsive web design for business is that it increases conversation rates and sales. With responsive design, your website’s features--such as navigation--remain constant across devices.

This makes for a consistent user experience, offering a sense of familiarity to users and makes it easier for them to browse your site and make a purchase.

Increase customer retention rates

More than onboarding new customers and increasing conversion rates, responsive design for your business website turns one-time visitors into returning ones. When they have a positive experience the first time, it is more likely that they will come back.

Cut down on web development and maintenance costs
Without responsive design in place, you will have to invest in developing and maintaining several variations of your website--for desktops, mobile phones, and tablets. It doesn’t end there. These devices are available in various screen sizes, so your developer/designer has to take this into account as well.

By using responsive design, you do not have to invest in separate websites for each device. With the coding and programming for all devices done on the back end, you only have to manage a single version of your business website.

If you want to remain competitive and not get buried in the plethora of existing business websites, keep up with the latest online developments. Responsive web design is definitely one of these developments you can’t afford to miss.