Why You Need A Responsive Website
More and more people are searching the internet via their mobile phones. Technology advances in phones and cheap data usage plans are contributing to this growing trend. More and more customers are also using their mobile phones for online shopping! Statistics show that mobile usage increases phenomenally year on year, responsive web design is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity.
Remarkably, the majority of small to medium sized businesses in NZ still don’t have a responsive website. Not only is it more difficult for new customers to find and view your website, but it could also be deterring existing customers from returning.
What is a responsive website?
A responsive website is another name for a mobile friendly website. A responsive website is one that detects what type of device you have – e.g a smartphone, a tablet, or a desktop computer. It then responds accordingly by adjusting the different design elements to the screen size of the device, delivering a streamlined experience for mobile and desktop users alike. Easy and efficient, as your customers change devices, your website will change with them.
Why is a responsive website so important?
1. Online shopping
Total online retail spending by New Zealanders' in February 2017 was up 14% compared to the previous February. This is a solid performance, especially when considering that last year was a leap year.
*Source BNZ bank
2. Mobile Use Is On The Rise
There’s no denying the popularity of mobile devices, with over 70% of adults now owning a smartphone. Increasingly, web users are choosing to use these devices over desktop computers to access the internet, with over half of Google searches now originating from smartphones and tablets.
3. User Experience Is Key
For the majority of online customers, a website’s functionality and appearance is priority, with 33% abandoning a site if they cannot interact with it properly on their mobile device. According to Google, 53% of mobile users will also abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Fast, functional, and designed to look great on any device, a responsive website provides the best user experience possible, helping to improve your credibility, boost your conversion rates, and increase customer retention.
4. Search Engines Prefer Responsive Websites
Mobile-friendly websites are given precedence by major search providers such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing because they offer a better user experience, so if your goal is to perform better in search rankings, you need a site that adapts to every screen size.
5. It Saves Time
Being able to shop online on your phone makes life easier for your customers, it also makes life easier for you. You can shop anywhere, any time!
6. An Investment For The Future
A responsive website is not just an essential resource for today, but for tomorrow too. Mobile use is only set to increase, and customers are expecting more and more from the brands they interact with online.