Why is Responsive Design Important?
So why exactly is having a responsive web design important? It sure requires a more complicated development process and affects the web design cost, but will the return be worth the effort? The answer is a definite yes unless you’re targeting one specific device with your website.
Most online searches come from mobile phones, but 41.5% of users still use desktops, and 2.7% use tablets to browse online. Putting all focus on just one of the gadgets and ignoring the rest would mean you’re passing up on a large segment of web traffic.
Source: Statcounter
A responsive web design makes sure your site is equally practical on all types of devices and doesn’t lose its usability when a new hot gadget is introduced to the market. It ensures you’re prepared for future technology, helping you avoid going through a redesign process every time the hierarchy of devices changes.
In addition to this, a responsive web design makes it easier for bots to crawl a website through a single URL rather than crawling through multiple versions of the same web content. This helps Google properly index the web page, giving the letter a better chance of ranking high.
Aside from device types, there are also varying web browsers to account for when building a truly responsive website. It’s helpful to know which browser your target audience likes to use, and if there’s a split between browser preferences, you’ll need to make sure your website is compatible with all used browsers.
