Responsive web design is no longer a thing of the future; many websites are moving in that direction already, and in the next couple years the concept is sure to be standard practice. If youâre still unfamiliar with what responsive web design means exactly, it can be explained simply as a set of techniques that create one website to adjust appropriately to the screen size and resolution of any device (laptops, tablets, mobile phones, etc.) that it is being viewed on.
Previously, building a website solely for access via desktop computers was enough to satisfy those connecting to the Internet. However, with the advancement of users and the trend of acquiring multiple devices to be operated on the go came the need to upgrade website designs in a way that would accommodate various web browsers, and responsive web design has become the solution. Below are a few key elements that every responsive web design should incorporate.
Fluctuating Grids
A fluctuating grid foundation is important to responsive web design because this is what allows the layout of a website to conform to the proportion of the screen it is pulled up on. Without these fluid grids, sites may not fit into the tiny space you see on a cell phone screen or come up too small to view on the wide width of a computer screen. Columns will automatically scale and move with the grid system as a browser gets larger or smaller so that all content is suitably aligned.
Modifiable Text and Photos
Responsive web design is a big help to websites that have text and images that donât currently modify according to screen dimensions. Responsive designs allow for font sizes to be flexible and refitted so that the site doesnât come across a screen with broken, hard-to-read or unappealing text. The same goes for overcoming problems with images as well. With responsive sites, designers have the option to scale and crop photos, have multiple versions ready to go whenever the need for a different size is detected or hide the images completely to focus more on the text.
Media Queries
Media queries are the component that gives designers the opportunity to produce several layout styles of a website utilizing all the same content. These media queries are supported by the most up-to-date web browsers and, when used in conjunction with fluctuating grids, text and images, work to create the perfect platform for a responsive web design site.
Whichever device Internet users are browsing the web on, they deserve to enjoy the same kind of positive experience theyâve come to appreciate from traditional desktop systems, and responsive web design is exactly the kind of technology that will give it to them.
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About the Author
Tiffany Olson is the Communications Manager for Optimize Worldwide, a Northern California web design and search optimization company. Tiffany creates awesome content for SEO and technology blogs. Her link building strategies are impressive. Follow @TiffanyOlson88 for more WordPress tips.