You’ve heard the term responsive web design (RWD), but what does it mean? Simply put, RWD is a fancy way of describing a website that will “respond” to the size of the screen being viewed. As more and more new devices enter the marketplace, responsive web design has become an expected feature by all multi-screen users. A mobile user will not stick around for a poor user experience. The benefits far exceed the cost including a jump in the Google search results.

Does your website have responsive capabilities? Test your website for responsive web design with these four steps:

1. Shrink your desktop browser size.

Open your website on your desktop browser. Once the site is completely loaded, minimize your screen and make the browser narrower. With responsive design, your website layout will shift accordingly. Often times the navigation is the first indicator. 

 2. View your website on three real devices.

 Open your website on a smartphone, a desktop, and a tablet. If you must zoom or scroll to read the text on any of the devices, your site is not considered responsive. You do not want to see a shrunken version of your website on a small screen. A website with responsive design, though it will not be an exact replica on all three devices, will fit each screen for optimal compatibility and use.

 3. Enter the website URL into Google’s Mobile Friendly Test.

If the URL is responsive, it will also be mobile-friendly and pass this test. It is important to note that “mobile friendly” and “responsive design” are not the same. A site can be mobile friendly, but not responsive. Often times a mobile site that is not responsive has a separate mobile URL.

4. Ask your website developer.

Responsive web design is a fairly new trend. When your site was created, it may not have been designed with fluidity and adoption in mind. If your website was built by a developer, the developer can tell you more and help determine if your site is responsive.

My site is not responsive. What now? Contact Cool Blue to get your website responsive.