Responsive Web Design Websites that work on the web everywhere.

What is a responsive website?

A responsive website changes its layout depending on the size of the device you're viewing it on. As tablets and smartphones are now integral parts of people's daily routine, the importance of having a site that works across a huge range of potential devices has never been greater.

For instance, you're currently viewing this site on a small screen - probably a phone. The layout for larger screens is different, but has the same content.

For instance, you're currently viewing this site on a large screen (probably on a computer or tablet). The layout for smaller screens is different, but has the same content.

Pinch and pan, slash and burn

If you've ever used your smartphone to view a website, chances are you're familiar with the pinch/pan/scroll experience of trying to view a website designed for a large screen on a tiny one. In fact, it probably annoyed you so much that you even have a second, "mobile only" website that strips away all of your lovingly crafted content just for mobile phone users.

That was industry best-practice until not so long ago — but there are emerging solutions that offer so much more.

Responsive is a way forward

Want to see a responsive website? You're on one right now.

If you want a demonstration of a responsive website, just take your browser window and shrink it. You'll notice that the layout of the pages shifts to better accommodate the content on a smaller screen. Try viewing it on your smartphone, too. Isn't that so much easier?

Responsive sites have some additional benefits:

• Improved SEO – One website means less duplicated content, and better search engine rankings.
• Easier management – One responsive site means one set of content to maintain and one set of links for mobile and desktop.
• Save time and money – a single site lets you save time and money on development of individual layouts and managing multiple content sets for desktop and mobile.
• Improved Reporting – a single site means you can better track, analyse and report on visitor behaviour using statistics services like Google Analytics.

By embracing responsive design, we offer improved ROI on your existing solution - through simplified management and in user satisfaction.

Why aren't all websites responsive?

A simple question with a complex answer. In general, there are four reasons for this:

• It's a relatively new approach, and it can be difficult or impossible to retrofit this approach onto an existing site.
• It costs more than just doing a regular website.
• There may already be an existing "mobile" website that effectively addresses the needs of mobile users.
• Many key decision-makers do not have good data about the kinds of devices that visitors use.