The Importance of Responsive Web Design for Small and Medium Businesses

In order to maintain their positions and rankings, it is vital for these smaller companies to redesign their websites to accommodate all mobile devices.
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Through the inroads of technology, business and industry are shrinking the world. Small and medium business enterprises (SME) are discovering their business solutions are equal to that of the largest enterprises, by utilizing the latest technological advantages and developments. Of major importance to SMEs is the rapid increase in the use of smartphones and other mobile devices for conducting business. In order to maintain their positions and rankings, it is vital for these smaller companies to redesign their websites to accommodate all mobile devices.

Why Responsive Web Design?

Design specialists have coined the term "responsive web design" to indicate a web site that responds correctly when displayed on mobile devices. The viewer is not required to scroll through long lists and menus before finding the actual information being sought. All "above the fold" information is readily available. There is no need to have a second website for mobile devices. By using a single content base and a single code base, responsive web design can render consistent content to a variety of screen resolutions and device types.

As the Creative Director at M16 Marketing I am tasked with incorporating all the aspects of success into an RWD site, including branding, social media, API (application programming interface) integration, marketing strategies, SEO, database integration, e-commerce, and much more. Everything your website offers with convenience can be just as convenient on the viewers mobile device through the technology used in RWD. When the consumer can access your website as easily on their smartphone as they can on a laptop, it allows them greater access to your business. People are not always near a computer, but most people with smartphones carry them all the time. Whether your clients are other businesses or general retail consumers, RWD will increase visits to your website.

The Benefits of Responsive Web Design

1.Responsive web design sites are fluid, meaning the content moves freely across all screen resolutions and all devices. Both the grids and the images are fluid. Just as a liquid spreads out or draws in to allow its content to fill an allotted space and retain its appearance, responsive web design's fluidity achieves the same result with website content on a device screen.

2.People are on the go 24 hours a day, every day. Responsive web design accommodates the busy professional during the day and the wide-awake college student needing access to your site at 2:00 am. No scrolling or resizing is needed for any consumer to access your website from their favorite device.

3.The advantages of having a single site that conforms to the need of all devices are significant when compared to having two separate websites. One website costs less than two, and the savings can be substantial. Sites designed solely for mobile device traffic don't offer the advanced navigational techniques found in traditional websites, and they also require the user to maintain two separate web addresses for your site. This is inconvenient for most people and can cause them to check out the competition's website. Responsive web design enhances SEO efforts by having all your visitors directed to a single site no matter what they prefer to use as a device.

As the number of people using mobile devices to access the Internet grows, your consumer base can grow with it through RWD. Businesses failing to grasp the significance of mobile device use on the Internet risk a reduction of visitors to their website. If you haven't made the switch to RWD, don't let your competition get ahead of you. Talk to your web designer, and make the transition to responsive web design.

Read more about Responsive Web Design: Tips for Building an Effective Business Website

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