
What is a Responsive Design? In the simplest explanation, it means that when visitors come to your site, no matter what sized digital device they are using, they’ll get a great viewing experience. Your Web will recognize the size of the device and “present” your Web content in a format that’s easy to see and to navigate.
Traditional Web sites are a staple in the line of must-haves for marketing, especially in the small business arena and ever since the first Web pages were published, there’s been an ongoing conversation about the best way to serve and present those pages to the audience. This week I’m sharing some of my own thoughts along with info from some experts in the matter …to help you make a decision about why, when and how to move forward.
Business owners are constantly bombarded with the newest, latest and greatest technology that's "guaranteed" to increase clientele and sales, so it can be a challenge and a money pit to make the right choices.
At some point, Responsive Web design will deserve your attention....but when?
Some business owners loose focus on the a primary rule in marketing; "know thy audience". Proper site development and content management…especially for a very small business is still a critical factor.
Understood, with a huge database it's often difficult to be certain that everyone who visits your site will see and hear everything as you have designed it. However, the debate about what the visitor actually gets to see, is not a lot different than what's been being debated for years … and persists with browsers and applications today.
So how much attention should you pay to all of the talk about Responsive Web Design or RWD??
Here’s some food for thought:
1. If you are about to develop a brand, spanking new Web site INDEED consider a Responsive Web Design.
2. If you already have a smoking hot, productive, Web site and you're just curious about how to improve your site and how it displays on various sized devices....here’s my suggestion….have a party, virtual or in real time and invite as many people as you can with as many different devices as you can and compare the outcome.
3. If the outcome of your "various device party" leaves you with more questions than you had before guests started arriving.... then you'll need to take copious notes to define specifically what adjustments may need to be made. Caution: It can be a slippery, expensive slope trying to please "everyone".
4. Consider a Mobile App. If you are planning to launch a Mobile App, problem solved!!! All good apps are being developed for content display on multiple devices. Easy Wheezy! (You will still want to mobilize your traditional site…)
5. If you are not getting a new site and you are not getting a new App and you still want to offer your audience the best experience possible while staying within your budget, contact me and we'll work on a plan to get you to the next level.
In summary, ....connect with your audience. And keep in mind ...."Responsive" sites don't always render the content in a way that's attractive or useful to the viewer.
New devices are coming onto the market daily, so try not to lose focus on your core objective; encouraging your visitors to take when visiting your Web site.
The competition is real……making sure it's easy for your visitors to take action.
Duda gives 5 reasons why they think small business owners should act immediately
Divtag Web developers offers some thoughts on why you may want to pause and plan before taking action