Why Responsive Web Design is Critical in 2017

Recent statistics show that 67% of the Canadian population owns a smartphone. In the US, 72% of people use a smart mobile device. This staggering number continues to rise every day. We live in a world that is increasingly mobile. People aren’t browsing the internet on their computers anymore – they’re Googling things on the subway, in buses, and at coffee shops on their phones.

Cell phones, tablets, and other portable devices don’t come in standardized sizes. Each device is different, with its own screen size, dimensions, and aspect ratio. For websites to be viewed properly on all these varying device sizes, they must be responsive. A responsive design is a term given to a website design that adapts to the screen it is being viewed on. Most websites today are coded to be responsive because the majority of the population browses the internet using small, portable devices.

Back in the days of dial-up internet and desktop PCs, there was no need for responsive web design. The mark of a good website is its ability to stay abreast of the changing world of technology and the rapid advancement of the internet. Updating an existing website to a more responsive design or getting a completely revamped custom website isn’t just a good idea – it’s a great one.

There are many reasons why you need a responsive site in 2017, and they aren’t just aesthetic in nature. While it is true that an adaptable, mobile-friendly site looks way smoother and better, there are other benefits that can truly revolutionize your site’s lead generation capabilities and more. Some perks of harnessing the power of responsive web design include:

• Better search engine rankings – If you think of your position on Google’s search results as dependent on a point-based system, you get bonus points for having a mobile-friendly website design. Google has specified numerous times that a responsive coding for your website is incredibly beneficial to your search engine optimization efforts.

• Improved user experience – Websites aren’t just sources of information anymore. They play an integral role in branding, advertising, and lead generation. Improving the user experience for visitors dramatically improves the chances of them clicking through to a contact form to utilize the products or services your company offers. Responsive web design drastically improves this experience for users across platforms and devices.

• One site to rule them all – Before responsive design became a common trend, companies ran two sites. One was the standard website while the other was hard coded to be mobile-friendly (think www.google.com and m.google.com). Two separate sites are more expensive, difficult, and tiring to maintain. Responsive design consolidates these sites into one which works across all devices without needing different domains and URLs.

If you haven’t recently invested in responsive design for your existing website, it’s high time that you did so. 2017 is almost over, and the tech industry is moving forward in leaps and bounds. It’s up to you to keep up and turn your site into the lead-generation powerhouse it has the potential to be. Deliver the ultimate user experience while boosting your search engine rankings and more with responsive site design.