Is Your Website Responsive?

Before mobile devices, web designers only created websites for relatively large computer screens. These designs were static, with no need to change depending on the size of the screen. But now, according to the Pew Research Center, 64% of American adults have a smartphone and 42% have a tablet computer. With all of these smaller screens and different operating systems entering the fray, developing a Responsive Web Design for your website to adapt to these changes is essential.

Responsive Web Design (RWD) is a way to lay-out a website so that when users visit the site, it changes format order to provide the user with an optimal viewing experience. Implementing a responsive web design for your business’s website doesn’t just make it user-friendly, it also helps your business. Here are a few reasons why:

Google Likes It

The words “search engine” and “Google” are pretty much synonymous. If you want your site to show up in search results, you want it to cater to most popular engine’s demands. When someone does a search on their mobile device, Google’s algorithm makes sure that sites with better mobile designs show up higher in the search engine rank. So when they say “we recommend using responsive web design” in regard to making your content mobile, we take that advice very seriously.

Better User Experience

Scrolling through a huge site with tiny buttons all on the small screen of a phone is frustrating. Content may be king, but if your content isn’t mobile-friendly then customers simply won’t engage with it. If they leave after a few clicks, your bounce rate will increase and your Google rating will drop. Your site won’t show up as high on search rankings, and traffic to your site will drop. Responsive web design is about making the user experience as easy as possible, no matter what device they’re using. If a site is optimized for all devices, then users are far more likely to stay and keep your bounce rate low (as long as your content is rock solid!).

No Duplicate Content

In order to be mobile-friendly, some designers create an entirely new site—in addition to the traditional one—just for mobile devices. So instead of one site that fluidly transitions between mobile and web, you’ve got two sites with duplicate content. While that may not seem like a problem, duplicate content is an SEO no-no. Duplicate content means you’ve got two different sites battling for the same search rank. In the end, all this will do is hurt both sites, splitting the customer base in half. With one site, one URL, and one responsive web design, all your customers come to the same place, and your site strengthens as a result.

Economical

On top of being easier, using a responsive web design is cost effective. Here are the top three reasons how:

1. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you will get less traffic and fewer customers
2. If you opt for two sites, one for web and one for mobile, you will pay twice the amount
3. With one responsive site, you get more user traffic, more customers, and more potential revenue

Without a question, you are getting more bang for your buck. It goes without saying that managing one site is easier than managing two—and when you combine that with the potential financial savings and gains, a responsive website is a must.

About Bigfin.com

Bigfin.com LLC is an industry leader in online advertising, SEO and custom web design. Our comprehensive digital marketing solutions include social media management as well as social media advertising on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn and other social outlets. Looking for mobile website solutions or help with search engine marketing? Contact us online or by phone at (425)822-8200.