Responsive web design refers simply to designing websites that permit adaption to the viewport size of users visiting the site. This is to enable content to be rendered differently depending on the device or screen size of the user accessing a particular website, thus allowing a good experience regardless of the browser-the-content. The main benefit of responsive web design is that all websites load quickly and do not offer the need for users to resize things to view their content.
Introduction
Companies without mobile-responsive sites are becoming extinct; that is how every company has to play in the market if it wants to talk to a broader audience of potential customers. Likewise, it is the same with whose knowledge all working developers should possess.
Keeping this scenario under consideration, we are presenting to you some tips for realizing the benefits of responsive web design.
Prioritize the smallest and largest viewport sizes
Identify the smallest and largest devices before determining which technical constraints will govern a website look on all devices. Again, check the analytics for which sizes people usually visit to know more about which to target. The small viewport will force you to consider which elements are going to contribute the most to the design, whereas a wider view would give an idea of how readable a text column becomes when the width increases. Different input methods should be considered; scrolling or swiping should reveal easy access to your site. At present days, a lot of modern frontend frameworks do the work of taking care of resizing the viewport automatically, so you need not bother much about defining these values in most circumstances.
Demonstrate the behavior between the breakpoints
It’s hardly possible to specify a view for your application on all the screens. In fact, there is a huge number of visitors who cannot see the layout at the exact targeted size. So, the designer should really think about what should be done between the breakpoints so that things do not shrink or columns collapse wrongly. Make sketches or even wireframes to indicate how web pages may appear during in-between moments.
Accepting criticism is important
While designers tend to be defensive about their work, obtaining feedback is essential for the best output. There’s a need to draw a line between all parties, yet the developer should still be included in meetings regarding the product, brainstorming sessions, as well as usability tests. Team members somehow have experience in all dimensions, so benefit from their combined illumination.
Responsive Web Design Benefits in the Future
With devices continuously flooding the market, the study of responsive design will become even more difficult. Even though it seems that the advantages of responsive web design have been perfected, we are probably still in the early stages of the study. People now surf the web via VR headsets and smartphones open up possibilities for applications like never before, just to name two augmented reality games. Hence, it is just a question of what other unique challenges lie ahead.
Maintenance cost reduction will be a concern for future developers, while search engine optimization and conversion rates will demand their attention. Recent developments in responsive design have geared towards smaller screens, and this will continue for a while. Still, larger display users should also be kept in mind for a more universal user experience at the end of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is meant by responsive web design?
Responsive web design refers simply to designing websites that permit adaption to the viewport size of users visiting the site.
What are the biggest benefits of responsive web design?
Developing a single responsive website takes much less time than developing an independent mobile application along with a regular desktop website. Therefore, taking the time into account where money is concerned, it costs less than the alternative. Although the initial cost of a responsively designed website might turn out to be more than having two separate sites built, in the long run, money is saved because the costs of maintenance and special configuration, etc. of a website hosting two different versions are less.
