So many devices — so little time

Two words — Responsive Design

It’s the most economical and sensible way to keep your brand consistent across an ever-expanding array of devices and interfaces.

Originally defined by Ethan Marcotte in A List Apart, responsive design meets the needs of the users and the devices they’re using. The layout changes based on the size and capabilities of the device.

But it’s not just how it looks, it also matters WHY you are looking. If I’m at home looking up a restaurant, my main interest is probably the menu. On my phone, it’s most likely the address or phone number. It’s important to consider use cases when deciding the hierarchy of each display layout.

Here’s an example of a responsive design overhaul recently done for Eriksen Translations, which by the way, won them an international business award.

Eriksen-Responsive

A leading provider of multilingual services in over 100 languages, Eriksen Translations (www.eriksen.com) wanted to do a complete redesign of their site.

The easy-to-navigate responsive design, along with their fresh new content emphasizing the company’s personal approach and longstanding focus on customer service, helped them win a Stevie® Award in the Best Overall Web Design category at The 11th Annual International Business Awards in Paris. The International Business Awards is open to individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. The 2014 IBAs received entries from more than 60 nations and territories.

Here are a few things to think about when choosing responsive design for your site:

  1. Why are people coming to your site?
  2. What do they want to do on your site?
  3. How are people currently reacting to your site?
  4. What devices are they most likely using to come to your site?
  5. Will they really benefit from responsive design?
  6. Is your site uncluttered enough to be functional on a small device?
  7. Where will their eyes focus and what parts of the site will they most likely navigate to?
  8. What are the primary graphic images, content and call to action you want to prioritize?
  9. Will these elements look good on a small screen?
  10. What is the average age of your target user? Responsive design works well across all ages. It’s easier to read for an older demographic and the younger crowd expects a cool experience on your site across all devices.

I’d be happy to give you some ideas for how this approach will help you engage with your users — no matter what the painterly device. Send me an email or fill in the form below for a free quote.

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