A great website used to be able to stand alone and attract visitors. Visible from any browser on any computer, a site that grabbed user attention was all you needed as a marketer. Today, though, marketers also need a mobile-friendly website. Mobile access surpassed desktop use in 2014, and isn't showing any signs of slowing. With a majority of traffic now coming from mobile devices, companies that can't keep up will fall behind.
Six of 10 users expect a mobile-friendly website, making it more important than ever for companies to invest in a website that functions flawlessly on mobile. This is true for emails as well; 34% of people use only smartphones to read messages.
If you're not looking to build a separate mobile website, you're in luck. With responsive web design, you can build a site that looks right across any platform.
What Is Responsive Web Design?
Responsive web design, or RWD, is an alternative to standard design that allows for fluidity across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. No matter where a visitor accesses a site, every element will be clean, visible, and cohesive. This saves you the burden of building multiple sites.
Want to see if a site is responsive? Adjust the size of your browser and see how the site reacts. If the elements move to remain visible, you're looking at a RWD-optimized site.
Some businesses feel it's easier to just build a second site, but this is often harder in the long run. Two sites means double the work, creating more ways for something to go wrong. A RWD site is fast, smooth, and easy, providing a good experience for website visitors.
Building a Responsive Website
A responsive website has a lot of benefits, offering you a leg up on your competition. Fortunately, building one is easier than it sounds.
Most major website builders support responsive functionality. Do-it-yourself website tools such as WordPress, Wix and Weebly all offer responsive functionality, giving you a way to build your own multi-platform site without any knowledge of coding or HTML (hyper-text transfer protocol, the language used for many websites). Look for templates that are advertised as responsive, or check for terms such as fluid grid, flexible foundation, and media query to be sure the template you choose is truly responsive.
If you're working with a professional design firm to build a website, ask your designer about responsive design – this is likely a question they've heard many times before. Knowledgeable web designers can easily incorporate RWD into a product, giving you a fast, flexible, and attractive site to show off to your clients.
Choosing Responsive Email
Responsive design doesn't end at websites, emails can also be responsive. If you've ever opened an email on your phone only to come face to face with tiny text that cuts off on the right side of the screen, you know just how important this can be. When you want to make sure your email marketing reaches everyone on your list, you need a mobile-friendly design. The same RWD principles apply: Responsive emails are easy to read on any device, with fluid images and text that can keep your message clear and visible.
Responsive emails are a little easier than whole websites, requiring little more than a responsive email template. These are available all over the web from marketing agencies such as, Litmus and Zurb. Some require a small payment or membership fee, but others are free to access.
Many email marketing platforms offer preview tools, to make sure your email looks as great as you envisioned. But if yours doesn't, there are numerous options that can help you ensure your email is as responsive as you'd hoped. This keeps you from wasting time on a layout that ultimately falls flat.
Mastering the Art of Mobile
Even if you don't use your smartphone for email or web browsing, it's safe to assume that your clients do. With the benefits of responsive email and web designs, you can cater to your base of mobile users, providing an inclusive experience that can highlight your brand in a positive light.
Six of 10 users expect a mobile-friendly website, making it more important than ever for companies to invest in a website that functions flawlessly on mobile. This is true for emails as well; 34% of people use only smartphones to read messages.
If you're not looking to build a separate mobile website, you're in luck. With responsive web design, you can build a site that looks right across any platform.
What Is Responsive Web Design?
Responsive web design, or RWD, is an alternative to standard design that allows for fluidity across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. No matter where a visitor accesses a site, every element will be clean, visible, and cohesive. This saves you the burden of building multiple sites.
Want to see if a site is responsive? Adjust the size of your browser and see how the site reacts. If the elements move to remain visible, you're looking at a RWD-optimized site.
Some businesses feel it's easier to just build a second site, but this is often harder in the long run. Two sites means double the work, creating more ways for something to go wrong. A RWD site is fast, smooth, and easy, providing a good experience for website visitors.
Building a Responsive Website
A responsive website has a lot of benefits, offering you a leg up on your competition. Fortunately, building one is easier than it sounds.
Most major website builders support responsive functionality. Do-it-yourself website tools such as WordPress, Wix and Weebly all offer responsive functionality, giving you a way to build your own multi-platform site without any knowledge of coding or HTML (hyper-text transfer protocol, the language used for many websites). Look for templates that are advertised as responsive, or check for terms such as fluid grid, flexible foundation, and media query to be sure the template you choose is truly responsive.
If you're working with a professional design firm to build a website, ask your designer about responsive design – this is likely a question they've heard many times before. Knowledgeable web designers can easily incorporate RWD into a product, giving you a fast, flexible, and attractive site to show off to your clients.
Choosing Responsive Email
Responsive design doesn't end at websites, emails can also be responsive. If you've ever opened an email on your phone only to come face to face with tiny text that cuts off on the right side of the screen, you know just how important this can be. When you want to make sure your email marketing reaches everyone on your list, you need a mobile-friendly design. The same RWD principles apply: Responsive emails are easy to read on any device, with fluid images and text that can keep your message clear and visible.
Responsive emails are a little easier than whole websites, requiring little more than a responsive email template. These are available all over the web from marketing agencies such as, Litmus and Zurb. Some require a small payment or membership fee, but others are free to access.
Many email marketing platforms offer preview tools, to make sure your email looks as great as you envisioned. But if yours doesn't, there are numerous options that can help you ensure your email is as responsive as you'd hoped. This keeps you from wasting time on a layout that ultimately falls flat.
Mastering the Art of Mobile
Even if you don't use your smartphone for email or web browsing, it's safe to assume that your clients do. With the benefits of responsive email and web designs, you can cater to your base of mobile users, providing an inclusive experience that can highlight your brand in a positive light.
