Get a responsive website, seriously. This is not a joke – you need a responsive website and I’ll tell you why.
It’s 2014 so you would think having a responsive website would be an obvious solution to your online problem, guess again. Heck, we’re constantly amazed by the clients who walk into our office that don’t have a website yet alone a responsive or mobile website. Whether you currently have a website or you’re in need of a new website from scratch, it’s imperative to get a responsive website. We’re here to tell you a few reasons as to why you should get a responsive website!
Before we tell you the importance of why you need a responsive website, we just want to clarify what that is for those who don’t know. A responsive website is MORE than merely a mobile site. A responsive website is one that is well, responsive, meaning that it changes based on the screen size or the direction of the display i.e. on mobile or a tablet. The intent of RWD (responsive web design) is to optimize the user’s experience, to enhance their visibility on whatever platform they may be utilizing. Here is our site – one is in is displaying as a full website, the other is showing how it works if it’s responsive. As you can see, when you change the screen size the website moves with the screen, still fully functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Now that we’ve established what a responsive website is – let us tell you a few reasons as to why you need to get a responsive website, seriously.
- Mobile search is taking over. In 2013 over 64% of smartphone owners used a mobile web browser to research products and more than half (59%) used a mobile web browser to find a store location while 53% searched for coupons and deals – it’s simple, people today are utilizing the web more and more for a variety of purposes from searching to purchasing. If your website is not responsive and is not user friendly for those on mobile or tablet’s its simple, you will lose clients and potential new business. Also – did you know 61% of people have a better opinion of brands when they offer a good mobile experience (thanks smart insights)
- It helps SEO. What’s SEO you ask? It’s that little old thing that helps make sure your website is ranking where it needs to rank in order for customers to find you. SEO, search engine optimization, is constantly changing and evolving – what we write about today will change tomorrow, or even possibly before we press publish on this blog. To put it simply, search engines put a high importance on how your site is designed for customers, in fact it takes it quiet seriously. A responsive website, according to google, is the best practice for all web design. Having a desktop version and a mobile version of a website versus a responsive website, can in fact hurt your SEO and online rankings. The more usable and friendly your website is, the higher it will rank.
- It will save you time and money. It’s also more convenient. Can you believe that people still have a desktop and mobile version of their website? I can’t. We can’t. It’s crazy, crazy I tell you! Here’s why: when you have a mobile AND a desktop version you are essentially running two different sites. It requires a lot more work in every aspect from ensuring your links are working properly on both sites, to updating content and graphics on both sites, etc. etc. With a responsive website you are only updating content on ONE site, you only have to worry about ONE site. Imagine the time and money you would save by having a responsive website, if that isn’t the icing on the cake of reasons why you need a responsive site – we’re not sure what is!
- Consistency. While some of this was touched upon under our #3 reason, the fact remains that having a responsive website, one place with updates will no doubt make branding your website and your business 1000 times more consistent.
- User friendly. More than anything else a responsive website, like all websites, should be about the user. With more and more users utilizing their smartphone and tablets as their only access point to the web – it makes sense to create a responsive template. If you had to get off your smartphone or tablet to look at a website would you? Or would you just move on to the next company/link? Probably the latter.
These are just a few of our many reasons why we think you need a responsive website, seriously. Don’t believe us? That’s fine. Take out your phone, check out your company website and see how it does. Would you stay on the site if you were a customer? If you would – give yourself a high five, you’re ahead of the game. If you haven’t – give us a call, we can help you.
Want to know more about responsive web design or web development in general? Give us a call.
LRT is a marketing and graphic solutions company specializing in web design and development, SEO, blogging, content creation, social media management, and anything you can imagine to help your business enhance its online presence and visibility. LRT Graphics serves a large variety of clients in Chico and surrounding North State and Northern California areas like Oroville, Paradise, Corning, Red Bluff, Redding, Orland, Reno, Sparks, Yuba City, Marysville, Sacramento and more! We would be more than happy to work with you on your next website development project from responsive to mobile, we can do it all. Talk to the experts today!
Call us at (530) 879-9261 or toll free (888) 934-6578 for a creative, innovative and successful website that is sure to drive traffic straight to your front door.