Mobile & Responsive Website Design

What must also be taken into account is the short attention span of most smartphone and other mobile device users.

People want to see what they want to see and nothing else – and they want to see it quickly. Most of the time, hours of operation, a phone number or directions are what matters most, so the inclusion of comprehensive content is not a priority.

Keep in mind that while responsive web sites are often geared toward mobile devices, their “mechanics” are not exclusive to mobile sites; they scale up and down accordingly to fit the size of the screen being displayed on – from standard PC screens to tablets to smartphones.

It’s all about flexibility when it comes to responsive design… that includes grid, typeface, images, and design itself. There are times when the best options for various browser sizes incorporate changes to the original design concept. As such, some content and pictures might be concealed to create a better view on smaller devices. The other option is an overall streamlined design scheme to allow for a more uniform look across all devices.

Another key component of b2b responsive web design is navigation. The large number of mobile device users who touch instead of click has created a growing trend toward larger navigation elements as they are easier to “tap.” Navigation should be designed with the smallest screen in mind, with elements added for larger sizes.

Responsive web design will continue to evolve, as will technology.  It is imperative for web designers to keep abreast of new devices as they enter the market… and to keep an open eye on evolving user habits.