In 2012, Internet users spent an average of 74.4 minutes on mobile Internet per day, according to Statista. By 2014, the number had increased to 108.6 minutes per day, accounting for 31.2 percent of global web traffic. And up until recent changes in search engine traffic algorithms, creating a streamlined web experience had not been a main focus for most businesses. However, as mobile web usage is rapidly growing, responsive web design (a fluid, cross-platform web experience) is the wave (and necessity) of the future. Below are a few key things to know about responsive web design, and what should be considered in order to provide the best user experience.

What is responsive web design?

Responsive web design is an approach that helps users consume content on any platform they choose without any compatibility issues. They can view the same website content on their mobile device as on a desktop. Flexible image technology calculates the right dimensions for each device automatically, and content is resized to fit each screen. It gives remarkably better continuity when reading Ebooks and articles, especially when switching between devices. Responsive design has been described as one of the most revolutionary developments in web design since its introduction in 2011.

Will responsive web design improve my business?

Today, content consumed on mobile devices accounts for more than half of internet traffic, so integrating responsive design into your eCommerce business is well advised. According to Aberdeen Group, businesses that have embraced responsive design achieve far better annual improvements in key measurements compared to companies that have not. The report shows that businesses using responsive design enjoy 30% more brand awareness, 10% more annual revenue, and an 8% visitor to buyer conversion.

The report shows that businesses using responsive design enjoy 30% more brand awareness, 10% more annual revenue, and an 8% visitor to buyer conversion.

What makes a good responsive web design?

The structure and layout of an optimized responsive design is dependent on the type of business. However, there are a few essentials that are worth trying across all eCommerce categories.

• Easy Reading and Navigation Across Devices: Providing a user-friendly navigation system that is easy to recognize and use across all devices is the best way for users to consume content. Reducing the need for things like resizing, panning and excessive scrolling ensure the user has a harmonious experience. Furthermore, optimizing your website for all devices will give you a higher page ranking and rating in search results. Google ’s recent change to a mobile-friendly search algorithm gives sites that are device-friendly much higher rankings than those that are not.
• Reducing Load Times: When someone lands on your site for the first time, you only have a few seconds to capture their attention. The longer a site takes to load, the more likely you are to have a high bounce rate (visitors who enter a site and then leave). Statistics show that 1 in 4 users will abandon a page that takes more than four seconds to load. After both Amazon and Walmart increased their site speed by just 100 mili-seconds, their revenue grew by 1%. So every little bit can help make a huge difference.
• Design for Flow: Building with the user in mind is key for optimal flow, and a major factor which will effect your conversion rate. The easier the user journey, the more likely they are to navigate all the way from registration to purchase completion. Maximizing conversion is all about optimizing flow to match user needs, so listening to your customer is a very important step.

A quality web experience, with reduced load times and simple navigation across all devices is gaining in popularity, and will be an expectation for all eCommerce business in the near future. And as responsive design development matures, mobile applications will become even more user-friendly, making life beyond the desktop effortless. Pubfront has been optimizing conversion from desktop to mobile devices since 2010, and can give your white label Ebook store optimal user fluidity. If you have inquiries about optimizing your site’s responsiveness or have feedback regarding this blog post, please leave a comment below. We love engagement.