Is more usage in 2016 taking place on the desktop, or on mobile devices?
Statistics indicate that in total digital media time, mobile usage now far outpaces desktop (51% vs. 42%). However, the data is heavily skewed by e-mail and social media, which takes up much mobile data usage time. If you look at the percentage of people actually shopping and looking for services online, desktop searches still outpace the mobile platform.
This is likely due to the fact that many traditional services – automotive, travel, financial services – have relied primarily on their desktop-geared websites to date. However, with the increasing use of all size screens, any company looking to stay ahead of the competition needs to immediately consider switching their website to a responsive design.
Responsive web design (RWD) is aimed at creating sites that provide optimal viewing and interaction experiences. The goal is easy reading, intuitive navigation and a minimum of re-sizing, panning, and scrolling – whether using a desktop computer monitor, tablet or mobile phone.
Why is it so critical for you to revamp your website to incorporate responsive design?
Mobile usage is not going to decrease, but increase. Those who can give their clients a positive mobile experience are going to win – in fact, surveys have shown that nearly 70% of people say that they have a better opinion of your overall brand when you have a good mobile platform. Further, if a user is frustrated by their mobile experience, 6 out of 10 will leave immediately and go to another site. A good experience, in contrast, results in a sale 67% of the time.
Remember the statistic that the greatest number of mobile users are on social media? If you have been blogging or using social networks to drive people to your website, a non-responsive website will annoy them and cause them to “bounce” (leave) rather than stay on your site.
In 2012, Google officially went on record stating that the king of the search engines prefers responsive web design over mobile templates. You don’t need to understand the mechanics of why, you just need to know that a responsive website is more proficient for SEO and will perform better on the search engines.
When people have to wait for a page to load, chances are excellent that they will leave your site. New standards recommend that page load times must be 2 seconds or less – generally not possible when loading a desktop website on a mobile device.
Responsive website is based on screen size and is not device specific; therefore for all future devices and screen sizes (from large screen TV’s to wristwatches) you can be assured that your website will look amazing.
In today’s world, ease of use is driving behavior. A website utilizing responsive design is not just a luxury, but an absolute necessity if you want to compete today; and in the near future. Call Sitespring today to discuss how we can help you to transform your site into a forward-looking, competition-beating, industry-leading and sales-generating machine!
The question is no longer if you can afford to have a responsive website, but if you can afford not to have one.
