Introduction
As more people turn to their smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, responsive web design is becoming increasingly more important. Almost 3/4 of web designers asked believe that non-responsive web design is the leading reason users leave a website.
Having a website that looks and functions just as well on a small screen as it does on a large one is crucial in 2024.
But what is responsive web design?
Responsive web design is an approach to building websites that ensures they adapt to the size of the device they're being viewed on. This means that whether a customer is viewing your site on a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, they'll have a seamless, optimised experience.
In a rush? Read our quick guide to responsive web design instead!
Top SEO Benefits of Responsive Web Design
Even in 2024, many still question whether responsive web design is worth the investment. However, a responsive website is key to improve your search engine rankings and is crucial for your visibility.
Here are the main benefits of investing in responsive web design for your brand and search engine optimisation.
Google Prioritises Mobile
Everyone knows that Google says that responsive design is their recommended mobile configuration and will give you a higher ranking on search engine results pages. Websites that can't seamlessly respond to different devices will fall behind the crowd of websites that can.
This can lead to more traffic and ultimately more conversions for your organisation.
Google's aim is to deliver accessible and valuable content to searchers, meaning the search engine is more likely to rank a website that can be accessed on all devices.
Better User Experience
First impressions are forever.
You want your visitors to have a great experience on your website so they return, we know this. A dynamic website however, is pointless if it's only interactive and seamless on desktop.
If a user has a poor experience on your website when visiting on mobile, but a great experience with your competitor it's not difficult to conclude which business they will remember.
Google prioritises keeping their users happy, so user experience is even super important here. The more satisfied users appear to Google, the higher your ranking will be.
Improved Page Speed
Web users don't have much patience anymore. Studies show that 1 in 4 users will abandon a website if it takes longer than just 4 seconds to load.
Not only is page speed important for user experience, but did you know that is also effects your Google ranking?
Google collects data on the average load speed of your website and will aim to put the quickest website to the top of the results page.
Responsive web design helps ensure that your website loads speedily on any device, signalling to Google that you are the fastest of the bunch! You can also keep tabs on your page speed (as well as your competitor's websites) using Google's PageSpeed Insights.
Improved Usability
Another metric that Google will take into consideration when ranking you is time spent on site. Google sees this as an indication whether your content matches the search term for the user.
In short: long time spent = relevant to search term but short time spent = probably irrelevant to search term.
There are many factors that can affect time spent on site outside of the content's relevance, such as responsiveness! To ensure that the time your users are spending on site isn't cut short, optimise your website to respond to all screen sizes.
This makes it easier for users to find the information they are looking for and spend more time on your website. Meaning a big thumbs up from Google and happy users that are more likely to convert.
More Social Media Shares
Responsive web design leads to satisfied users, as we've covered. Additionally, Google takes into consideration your whole digital eco-system, not just your website.
A responsive website that functions seamlessly on mobile is likely to lead to more social media shares.
More social traffic means more people visiting your website on mobile, then the cycle continues. So it's crucial that your website runs well on mobile!
Lower Bounce Rate
Bounce rate is how often and quickly somebody enters then immediately leaves your website. Another big factor in your search engine ranking.
Slow load speeds due to a lack of responsiveness make up a vast majority of bounces. If we refer back to the statistic discussed earlier, 1 out of 4 people will simply abandon a site if it doesn't load quick enough - there's a bounce!
To remedy a high bounce rate and push your website back to the top of Google, invest in responsive web design. You don't want your fantastic content ignored because it can't load quickly on a tablet.
Responsive Web Design in Webflow
The website that we build in Webflow are responsive from the get-go. Meaning no duplicate pages are needed for mobile, instead all pages will seamlessly respond to whatever screen size your visitors are on.
Less costly development time and more time to design a memorable, dynamic digital experience for your brand.
Final Thoughts
There are several benefits of responsive web design for your business' online presence, allowing you to reach a wider audience. With more and more people using mobile devices to access the internet, it's crucial that your website is mobile-friendly.
A responsive design ensures that your site will look and function well on any device, making it accessible to a wider range of customers.
In conclusion, responsive web design is a must for any business looking to succeed in today's digital age. It allows you to reach a wider audience, improves search engine rankings, and makes it easier to manage and update your site.
If you're looking to take your business to the next level, invest in a responsive web design.
Check out our infographic on responsive web design below:
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