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Web Design

Responsive Design: What You Need To Know

responsive

Marketing is never at a loss for buzzwords. The latest to hit the slang-wagon is this thing called “responsive design” and, unlike “taking it to the next level” or “thinking outside the box“, I can actually explain it.

Responsive design is a method of structuring a web page so that it collapses to fit in the screen of the viewer’s device – no matter how small – while having everything accessible to the user. Fonts don’t get illegibly small, images don’t shrink into little blobs of color, and the site looks like it was designed exclusively for that screen. With mobile and tablet web browsing skyrocketing with no sign of slowing, it’s important that your site is usable on a smaller screen.

If you’re viewing this site on a desktop or laptop, check this out: take the right-hand edge of the browser, and drag it towards the left. You’ll see that the site conforms – or “responds” to the dragging without decreasing the font size or causing text to flow off the right-hand side. Drag all the way to the left and you’ll see that the navigation turns into a simple drop-down, perfect for mobile devices.

You can use it on top of your CMS (like WordPress), and it’s actually cheaper to build than a separate mobile site.

Who uses Responsive Design?

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How does this affect SEO? What does it not do?

I’m sure this article doesn’t answer all of your questions. But I’m sure I can, just send me a message.

Patrick King

Patrick is the Founder of Imagine and advisor to places on brand strategy and creative. His insights have been published in Inc. Magazine, SmartCEO, Washington Business Journal, The Washington Post, and Chief Marketer, among other publications, and shared at conferences throughout the US. He also has an amazing sock collection.

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