You have probably noticed lately that many sites have new web designs that look bigger and when you shrink your browser, the content is applied to fit.
The post-PC era
2012 was an unusual year in the computer market. For the first time since 2001, computer sales were down on the previous year.
Which devices are consumers buying? Tablets.
Tablet sales are estimated to exceed 100 million this year.
Tablets are estimated to exceed 100 million this year. Their sales may even surpass laptops next year. Smartphones, of course, are also in increasing demand - and now for the first time have overtaken simple mobile phones.
Meanwhile, statistics show us that now 30% of website visitors use mobile phones and that this number could reach 50% next year.
Web or Apps? Or both.
For those of us who create websites and services, all of this leads to a single conclusion: A million screens have bloomed, and we must adapt for all of them.
Apps may seem like the obvious solution. There's no doubt that having apps for the major platforms is better than having none for any, but how do we create apps for each app store? Last month, for example, our website was accessed from over 700 different devices. We could certainly create apps for a good number of those devices but certainly not for all of them.
There is evidence to suggest that mobile internet is the key. According to the Pew Research Center, 60% of users prefer tablet news reading on the mobile web than through an app. While I believe companies should offer apps, it's clear that a mobile-specific version of the site should take priority.
responsive web design
The ultimate solution is to build a website that works well on all devices ..... responsive web design.
In short, a responsive web design uses "media queries" to figure out what resolution the viewing device is running at.
In short, a responsive web design uses "media queries" to figure out what resolution the viewing device is running at. Flexible images and flexible columns are properly adjusted to fit the screen.
The benefits are obvious: You build a website, and it works seamlessly across thousands of different screens.
2013: A Responsive Year
Given the rapid growth of tablets and smartphones - and the fact that users seem to prefer reading their websites on the mobile web rather than in app applications - we think it's inevitable that 2013 will be the year of responsive web design.
For website owners, it is offered as the simplest way to display their website on multiple devices. For users, this ensures a great experience for every screen.
[info_box] See some examples of responsive web design [/info_box]
