Responsive web design is really important if you want your website to put a good first impression on viewers. As people are always on the go in this modern world, they use handy devices like smartphones and tablets to view websites. Use of desktops to navigate websites has become rare. That’s where the need for responsive web design comes in.
Responsive web design allows all the users and all the gadgets to view your website with equal ease in a proper format. Therefore, there are certain principles which ensure that your web design is responsive enough. Following are the 7 basic ones:
1. Use responsive design and not adaptive
There might seem no difference between the two, but there is. Responsive design is better as an adaptive design takes more time to display. People with even slower internet connection needs a responsive design, so content is displayed accordingly.
With responsive design, the design is adjusted as per the screen size. Hence it be displayed on all types of devices.
2. Let the content flow
It is important to let your content flow. If you do not, people with mobiles cannot view complete information. In the case of flowing content, the content that cannot fit screen size flows downwards. In this way, the content adjusts itself on the screen and is completely visible.
3. Use flexible units for screen size
When it comes to the screen size, using flexible units is wiser. Flexible units, also known as relative units, are the ones that adjust according to the screen size.
For example, if you use pixels for your screen size, they are restricted. However, if you use percentage, the screen size is adjusted according to the space available.
4. Go for a design with breakpoints
Web design is truly responsive only when it comes with breakpoints. Breakpoints allow the layout to adjust on screen as per the predefined points. For example, if you have 3 columns on your desktop, you can breakpoint to get 1 column on a mobile screen.
A breakpoint is used wherever you feel that it is necessary to break the content and let it flow anywhere else on the screen. Without breakpoints, content cannot flow. And so, visitors cannot access complete information.
5. Apply max and min values
Min and max values are used to ensure the content takes a good enough width. Having content displayed widely on your smartphone is good, but it looks awkward on a desktop or TV screen.
By applying min and max values, you can set 100% width of the content while restricting it to 1000px. This makes the content appear with appropriate width despite the size of the screen.
6. Prefer system fonts over web fonts
Web fonts look cool. You can have different fonts using web fonts. The only problem is that web fonts take more time to load system fonts.
On the other hand, system fonts are light and highly responsive. They suit people with slower internet connections. So use system fonts for responsive web design. However, if you prefer trendy and stylish fonts, web fonts make a great choice.
7. Use a bitmap for detailed images
A bitmap is useful when you have detailed and fancy images. Use a jpg, png, or gif for bitmaps. Bitmaps ensure that the pixels are not damaged. It optimizes your images according to the screen size.
Vectors are also tiny and adaptive, but several old browsers do not support them.
At Conveyz, we ensure that all websites we design are responsive , else it wouldn’t meet the design trends. Contact us now for the perfect website.
