What is Responsive Design

Recently you have encountered this word together several times ,What is Responsive Design. Well, according to wekipedia Responsive webdesign is an approach to webdesign aimed at allowing desktop webpages to be viewed in responsive to the size of the screen or web browser one is viewing with. In a simple way, a responsive design  is a way to design the website that will fit any devices no matter how big or small it is.
Responsive design become hottest trend in 2013. This was because of more uses of smartphones. More people were using smaller screens and it was essential for business to have websites compatible with small screens .

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How Does Responsive Design look like

Before responsive design come into play, most businesses had 2 websites, 1 for desktop and another one for small screen devices. The main purpose of responsive design was , to have single websites but its elements should respond based on the size of the screen or browser.
Lets take a traditional website. When viewed in desktop computer, for instance the website might have 3 columns, but when seeing the same website in smaller screen the same layout, it will force your to scroll horizontally, something user dont like. Or element might be hidden from view or look distorted.
On a tiny smartphone screen, website can be even more challenging to see. Large images may break the layout. Websites can take longer time to load because of the heavy graphics.
However, If a site using responsive design, the website with 3 column layout will show 2 column to adjust with the width of a tablet and 3rd column will show under 2 columns. For more smaller screen it will show 1 by 1 column. User do not need to scroll horizontally. Images will adjust with the size of screen.

How Does Responsive Design Works

Responsive sites uses fluid grids. All page elements are sized by proportion not by pixels. In regular websites we divide columns like 400px/300px but in responsive design we divide the columns like 30% or 25%. So It can adjust with the width of the screen.
Media such as Images or videos also resized relatively. The way image can stay within its column or relative design element.

Why Small Business Needs to Switch to Responsive Web Design

More people are now using smartphones. According to Pew Research  more than 77% of Americans have smartphone and 51% own a tablet. Check your web traffic, you will be shocked how many people are browsing your website using smartphones or tablet. For small businesses customers are very crucial. You will never want your customers to not like to browse your site. The more easier it will be to browse more people will interest to visit your business.
Now Google also thinking about user satisfaction in web browsing. When someone searching in google, Google showing the results first  which websites are mobile friendly. So for you to get a good place in google you must switch your website to a responsive design.
Responsive templates are every where now. If for instance you have a wordpress site, you can visit template gallery such as Themeforest and search for responsive theme and can purchase it under $50. Your developer then can customize it for your logo and brand