Browsing the internet using mobile devices has become normal for millions of users. In many markets the time spent online via smartphones and tablets is much higher than the time spent browsing the internet using traditional computers. Companies which want to remain competitive online need to adapt to the new ways their customers are accessing their sites. Adopting responsive web design in 2015 is one of the most critical business decisions any online business can make.
Lets go ahead and take a look at why responsive web design is a critical marketing decision for your business in 2015.
1). The use of mobile devices is expanding.
No one needs to be told smartphones and tablets are popular. Any fears of tablets becoming just another netbook are long gone. Today’s consumers are purchasing and using mobile devices as their preferred access point to the internet. In the US, a quarter of all internet users go online solely on a mobile device. Over half of the local searches performed in 2012 were done on a mobile device.
2). Fully Responsive Website Designs Load Faster
Typical website visitors want sites to load quickly, but quick-loading sites are even more necessary for mobile sites. Browsers typical will only allow a site two seconds to load before they will abandon it. Responsive designs often load faster than traditional mobile websites and browsers from leaving.
3). Simplicity Wins & Navigation is Easier on A Responsive Site
No one wants to struggle navigating a website. Many traditional mobile site templates make it difficult for users to navigate menus and links. Well-designed responsive websites keeps it as simple and easy as possible to find information, log into an account and make purchases. Users who enjoy using a website are two-thirds more likely to make a purchase.
4). People Click On Facebook Links From Their Mobile Device
One of the biggest uses for mobile devices is social media. Over half of all social media traffic is from mobile devices. The links users share on these social media sites are likely to be opened with a mobile device. Without a good responsive website, visitors are more unlikely to remain on the site.
5). Google loves responsive websites.
The design of responsive websites is easier for Google’s bots to crawl. This translates into more frequent bot crawling and will result in higher search results for a site. Pierre Far, Google’s Webmaster Trends Analyst, confirmed in 2012 that Google prefers responsive websites over traditional mobile templates.
Responsive sites are adaptable for future devices. Check out out 14 tips for SEO web design success to see the exact strategy that goes into building a great website.
6). Stay Dynamic and Adaptable When Mobile Devices Continue to Change
With a quality responsive design, changes in mobile forms are less disruptive than if a site is still using an old-school mobile template. As mobile device forms continue to evolve, simply using responsive designs now can help a site keep up automatically.
Summary
In 2015 your website will be the foundation of all your online marketing efforts. Without an eye catching, search engine friendly, and user friendly website; you’re telling your customers you’re outdated, old, and that your business is not listening to consumer demands.
Just think about it for a moment. How many times have you made a purchasing decision based on the quality, images, and experience you had on a business or ecommerce website? You probably do so all the time. I certainly wouldn’t trust the dentist who has a junky old site. I would conclude that his office wreaks of mold, that his equipment is outdated, and that his client files may be unorganized. All because websites give customers enough of a first impression to make judgments on the business as a whole.
Don’t let customers conclude that your office is old and smells of mold. Go responsive in 2015.
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