This is the second article in my new series covering the top seven reasons to review and update you online marketing strategy in 2014. You can view the first article here.
Last week I shared some of our own data showing how as much as
30% of visitors to your website are using mobile phones and tablets such as the iPad to access your website. In November 2013, Forbes Magazine made the case why every business needs a responsive website before 2014.
Responsive web design is a term used to describe websites that change or “respond” to the size or type of device being used to view the site. They’re formatted so that all content and features are easily used from a small touch screen like an iPhone and re-format themselves to take advantage of the additional room as the screen gets larger. The content and features remains the same but the website is smart enough to adapt to any screen size. For example here’s Dash Media’s website on four different sized screens.
If your website isn’t responsive but was created in the last few years it’s possible that an upgrade could add this key feature to your existing website. However, depending on how your website is built and how old it is you might be better off starting from scratch with a brand new website designed for 2014 from the ground up.
Is your business website ready for mobile and tablet users? Here’s how you can find out for sure and find out what your options are.
- Use the free tool Am I Responsive to test your website and see how it looks on a wide range of screen sizes.
- If you’re site doesn’t adapt to fit a wide range of screen sizes you should contact your web designed and discuss your options for upgrading your site with responsive web design.
- Depending on the age of your site and other factors it might be worth re-designing an entire new website with customers using phones and tablets in mind.
