11 tips for making a responsive web design

11 tips for making a responsive web design. Let’s clarify that the term responsive means adaptable. By linking it with the words web design, we will quickly deduce that we refer to versatile web design. But what does this really mean? Well, responsive web design adapts to all sizes and device options to offer a better browsing experience to users of a particular site or page.

 

What is responsive web design really about?

 

A responsive web design is one that, thanks to its structure, can adapt to different types and sizes of screens. And, consequently, to the various devices from which we have access to a page.

 

When a web design is responsive, the system automatically detects it. It adapts its elements, such as images, menu, and typography, to the size of the device’s screen from which you are browsing.

 

It is important not to confuse responsive web design with mobile web versions. Since the first is a website that adapts to any size. In contrast, the second refers to an arrangement created exclusively for phones. So, we would be talking about two different and independent sites.

 

Therefore, the most advisable thing is to resort to responsive web design. And only focus on maintaining and improving a single site instead of two. It will work perfectly on any device and size if it has the necessary elements.

 

Importance of having a responsive web design

 

We tend to access the Internet primarily through mobile devices, whether they are cell phones or tablets, among others.

 

And the display of the sites we enter must be optimal and, above all, fast.

 

Imagine being in a hurry looking for information or requesting a service and that the site does not load. Or the font is so small that you have to zoom in on the screen to read it. Without a doubt, it would be very cumbersome.

 

To facilitate navigation, the need arises for websites to be responsive and offer a better user experience.

 

 

 

Advantages of a responsive website

• You use a unique URL, which favours positioning.
• When creating the website design, it´ll be equally implemented for all devices without making a new one for mobile versions.
• You save time and money in terms of maintenance. While it is true, maintaining a responsive website is not cheap. However, the investment is small compared to maintaining more than one site at a time.
• The design can be displayed on all browsers and devices regardless of the model.
• Duplicate content is avoided.
• For digital marketing purposes, it makes it easier to share content, helping it go viral faster.
• Increases the traffic of visits to your site from a responsive web design. This provides a satisfactory experience to the client and consequently favours SEO positioning thanks to this.
• Increase the good reputation of your company or brand, thanks to a responsive website capable of showing all the benefits of your great branding and creating engagement for future purchases and increased sales.

 

Elements of a responsive website

 

There are factors to consider when making a responsive website work properly. Offering that experience that will make a person not hesitate to enter from wherever they are and through any computer or device, and these are:

 

• Images and Videos

 

They must have the appropriate resolution and size to adapt to any screen size without losing their quality in the eyes of the observer.

 

• Loading time

 

One of the most important is the time it takes for a site to load. This can generate great satisfaction if it is fast. Or frustrating if, on the contrary, all the elements are displayed slowly, which can cause dropouts.

 

 

 

• Effects and tabs

 

There are a series of elements with which we can access a site through a desktop computer, but not on a cell phone. For example, the mouse is for the exclusive use of desktop computers. While on devices such as phones and tablets, everything is tactile, either with a pencil or a finger. For this reason, you should try to incorporate links and effects. They can be used from wherever you enter and can offer us the information we require without problems.

 

• Format Size

 

In the case of mobile phones, the best format for browsing is vertical. While on a desktop computer, the standard size is horizontal. That is why both must be incorporated to respond to all needs.

 

• Typography

 

This point is critical since a legible font, even in its mobile version and which you do not need to zoom in on to read, will improve the Internet user’s experience.

 

11 tips to make a responsive website

 

Here we will show the necessary steps to make your website responsive and successful.

 

1. Mobile-first approach, Responsive web design.

 

Mobile-first consists of a web design and layout trend focused on prioritizing viewing through mobile devices. All from the design of a website for tablets and cell phones.

 

This created structure will later adapt to desktop computers and not the other way around as it was usually used.

 

 

 

2. Migrate from desktop to mobile.

 

Suppose, in your case, you already have a website designed and created for a desktop computer, as usually happens. In that case, you need to make the changes to convert it to a suitable version for mobiles. And you can do this through the implementation of a website builder that offers you to recreate the already established design without the need for programming. Or through CMS plugins, which are currently already designed to be responsive.

 

3. Implement a responsive theme, Responsive web design.

 

It is the best decision to make from the beginning, thus facilitating the creation of the website. Especially if you do not have a vast experience in this field. Selecting a responsive theme will ensure that it will automatically adapt to any device.

 

For this, you can resort to specialized sites that have been a theme market. Another detail to keep in mind is that if your site is already up and running, we recommend making a previous backup before making the change.

 

4. Say no to the use of Flash.

 

As it is a program that is no longer active by its creator, most of the leading browsers support it. So, if you use this, you will probably cause many headaches to those who visit your site because they won´t be able to access it correctly. Avoid using flash and say yes to friendly navigation.

 

5. Optimize speed, Responsive web design.

 

We have already mentioned this aspect, and we will do it again due to its importance. And it is that a fast site, in addition to facilitating navigation, simply likes and attracts customers and users to a page while generating positive experiences.

 

So, discard everything that slows down the loading of elements. Such as inactive plugins, and unnecessary widgets, among others. And choose a web hosting and server quality that will provide high performance to your website.

 

6. Take care of the appearance.

 

We have been talking about what a responsive website should have and the elements it should contain to work optimally. However, its appearance is significant. Thanks to the fact that the design or appearance that it shows from the beginning is the face and letter of introduction to the world. Therefore, do not neglect this aspect.

 

7. Compatibility, Responsive web design.

 

Here we refer to whether your website designed to be responsive is compatible with mobiles and whether it really works or not for what it was created for. For this, Google has available the mobile device compatibility test tool. By entering the URL, you can obtain a detailed analysis and verify if it is suitable for mobile versions.

 

8. Use the accelerated mobile pages option.

 

Accelerated mobile pages, or AMP, is a framework dedicated to accelerating the loading process of a website in its mobile versions through data compression to a number much smaller than that of a page on ordinary mobile web for much faster loading processes.

 

9. Using Media Queries, Responsive web design.

 

They are syntax used when wanting to modify a website or application based on a specific device.

 

It is a critical process. Since this will make it possible for the site to adapt to any device and screen size. So, it´s necessary to verify that they are configured for all existing screen sizes and not for the more frequent ones.

 

10. Go for a standard typeface.

 

There are endless options available on the market, fonts, and pages to download and use. But, in the case of websites, not opting for a beautiful and elegant script font is the intelligent thing to do.

 

Because the right thing to do is to use standard fonts that are legible even on small screens.

 

Regarding its size, the ideal is to use a 16-pixel one, and they can be seen clearly without the need to zoom.

 

11. Optimal Images, Responsive web design.

 

The use of good quality images, but adequate size, is the combination for responsive websites. Remember that the focus and objective are to be able to view everything from the screen of your phone. So large images would not load with the speed and speed that it deserves.

 

But you should not mistake reducing their size so much that they would lose quality.

 

Several programs help optimize images. Only this process must be applied before uploading them to the website. Technology, digital media, and the world of marketing are dynamic and constantly changing. So, if you are part of this, you must be at the forefront of them so that your brand or company does not fall behind. For them, it is necessary to adapt to the emerging advances and novelties so that your website is always one step ahead of the others.

 

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and receive the latest news on digital marketing.

 

Keywords: website, responsive, optimal, elements, importance, mobile, devices, screens, sizes, design, web design.