What is responsive web design, and what should you know about it? from Adil-Javed's blog

Practically every customer we work with requires a mobile version of their website. It has officially become a requirement. So why not? After all, smartphones account for more than 50% of all internet traffic.

With new devices coming out almost every day, it's difficult to keep up with the myriad new resolutions. Imagine trying to create a website with a dozen distinct resolutions. Did you like the sound of it? Of course not! It's probably the biggest nightmare for any mobile developer.

But what about well-structured websites that seem identical on devices with varying screen resolutions? Well, one thing is certain: no one produces separate versions of websites to accommodate different screen sizes. So, what is it, then?

Say hello to responsive web design, which ensures that your website looks good on almost any device!

So, what is responsive web design?

What is responsive web design?

Smartphones have come a long way. They have become an integral element of our lives. No matter what industry or work sector we are in, cellphones are essential, not only for connectivity but also for guaranteeing the smooth flow of operations and staying up-to-date.

Almost 2 billion individuals today use smartphones to access the internet, accounting for 51% of the entire worldwide base of 3.9 billion mobile users. Those who market their businesses on digital platforms must remember these statistics. Here's why.

You must have a website to establish an authoritative brand image for your organization online. Consider having to open a website designed primarily for desktops or laptops. It is inconvenient and frustrating to swipe across your screen while attempting to change the web page and read the content.

With audiences rating a website within 50 milliseconds of opening it, we cannot risk causing inconvenience when accessing sites via mobile devices. A responsive web design comes in handy in this situation. They are solely responsible for keeping your audience engaged with your website.

We just discovered that, in addition to laptops and desktop computers, our target audiences access websites and other online platforms via mobile devices.

Having a single website accessible from various browsing devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones is crucial. There is a lot of demand for web designers to create websites that are responsive to the size of the device on which they are viewed.

Initially, the idea of having separate stylesheets for different screen sizes was popular. However, it requires a significant amount of time, work, and resources, which are beyond the means of most developers and designers.

However, technological advancements have made it possible to create a single stylesheet that serves webpages on a variety of devices, which reduces the amount of code that designers and developers must deal with.

Thus, responsive web design is a method in which a web designer creates a single web page that resizes itself based on the screen size. In this method, the web page's design and development adjust to the user's behavior and environment, resulting in a more seamless user experience.

How does responsive web design differ from standard layouts?

The purpose of a responsive website is to have a single site that resizes itself for multiple devices. When viewing a typically fixed website on a smaller screen, you must scroll side-to-side to view certain hidden elements. This endeavor frequently results in distorted visuals.

Tablets pose an additional challenge due to their ability to display in either landscape or portrait mode. With their small displays, smartphone users have even greater navigational challenges. It may take longer to load, and huge images may cause the layout to break.

With a flexible web design, the tablet version can automatically change to simply two columns, making the material easier to see and navigate.

Smartphones may display the content vertically in a single column or offer the user the option to swipe over to view additional columns.

Media files automatically resize, creating an appealing and user-friendly interface rather than cutting them off or ruining the layout.

How does responsive web design work?

Fluid grids serve as the foundation for all responsive webpages. All page elements are sized proportionally, rather than using pixels.

For example, suppose you have three columns: In a responsive design, you would examine how broad one column should be in relation to the other two rather than how large each one should be. 

Media files are also scaled proportionally. As a result, a picture can remain within its respective column or design element. The webpage first recognizes the accessed device and adjusts the format accordingly. Users benefit from a more tailored approach.

Advantages
According to studies, 57% of internet users will not suggest a business with a poorly created website, and 85% believe that a mobile web design should be as good or better than that on a desktop. 

By providing a design that adapts to their actions and preferences, responsive website designs optimize the user experience and reduce the need for designers to create unique designs for each new device on the market.