Have you wondered how to make your website viewable on smaller screens? That’s called responsive web design, and you need it!
Look at all of those screen sizes in my graphic. That’s only a small sample. People also use TVs and smart watches to surf the web. Your website needs to be user-friendly no matter the size of the device.
What is Responsive Web Design?
Responsive web design is how we design and develop websites so they adapt to different screen sizes and device types. The design automatically adjusts so the website looks good and functions correctly on every size of device.
Responsive websites are flexible and adjust to the device being used to view the content. The design will adjust to fit a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone screen.
Responsive web design has become increasingly important in recent years, as more and more people access the internet from mobile devices. By creating a website that is optimized for all screen sizes and devices, businesses can ensure that their website is accessible and user-friendly for everyone, regardless of the device they are using to access it.
How Does a Responsive Website Work?
When designed with fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries, the website can adjust its layout and content based on the screen size and resolution of the device.
- Flexible Grids: Responsive websites use flexible grids that can adapt to the screen size of the device being used to view the website. These grids are built with relative units like percentages or ems instead of fixed units like pixels.
- Flexible Images: Responsive websites also use flexible images that can scale to fit the size of the screen. We set the maximum width of the image to 100% of its parent container.
- Media Queries: Media queries detect the screen size and resolution of the device being used to view the website. Designers can define specific rules for different screen sizes, such as hiding certain elements on smaller screens or changing the layout of the website.
- Fluid Typography: Responsive websites also use fluid typography so all text is easy to read on all screen sizes. This can be acheived by setting font sizes with relative units instead of fixed units.
Test Your Website for Responsive Design
When you view your website, does it detect the kind of device you’re using?
If your website is responsive, it will automatically adjust the layout and content for that specific screen.
With a responsive website, your visitors can access the same content and functionality on any device, without having to zoom in or scroll horizontally to view it.
