With the growth in the use of mobile devices, it’s a pity that your e-commerce website is not designed to adjust to mobile and other devices. Nowadays, there are numerous reasons why businesses should care more about responsive design in eCommerce website development

But, what’s a responsive website? What does it look and/or feel like?

1. What is a responsive design in eCommerce website development? 

Did you know the number of smartphone users internationally surpassed 2 billion in 2016? Therefore, responsive design becomes more vital in eCommerce website development. However, it’s easy to misunderstand that a responsive website and a mobile-friendly website are one and the same. In fact, they are different categories. 

Basically, a mobile-friendly website will look good on mobile devices. While a responsive website is a website design that allows your website to adapt to the size of any screen it is being viewed on.

There are numerous reasons why businesses should care more about responsive design in E-commerce website development

So it could be viewed on say, a desktop, phone, or tablet, etc and users won’t ‘notice any difference’ in your site’s general appearance on their screen.

In short, a responsive eCommerce website development will include design elements such as:

• Readable text without requiring zoom
• Adequate space for tap targets
• No horizontal scrolling

It’s true that over 60% of searches online now come from a mobile device. Websites not optimized for all these smaller screens can experience a decline in their search engine rankings. This means that they are not getting found online. To ensure your website offers an experience tailored to handheld devices (without creating a separate app), consider why responsive design is important as a mobile solution.

In today’s article, we’d be looking at several benefits of using a responsive design in eCommerce website development.

2. 5 reasons why businesses should care more about responsiveness in eCommerce website development

2.1 Increased Traffic From Mobile Users

Once upon a time, businesses used to create two versions of one website. One for desktop users, and one strictly for mobile users. Many still do this today. But with ever-increasing viewership from mobile users, having two separate versions of one website is a time-consuming and high-maintenance practice.

There are ever-increasing viewership from mobile users

Nowadays, you can have just one responsive website that is ready for all devices. This ensures that your eCommerce website development will attract more mobile viewers. And they might also remember to visit your website some other time whenever they are in search of services you offer.

2.2 Lower Cost And Website Maintenance

The cost of website design is always a concern of the start-up business. Another benefit of using a responsive website is: It offers you a lower maintenance cost as compared to running two versions of one website, which means the process of eCommerce website development can cost higher.

The cost of website design is always a concern of the start-up business

However, it is relatively expensive in the beginning. But the reduced cost of maintaining two separate websites does add up. Besides, it takes less time to set up. And it’s easier to maintain one responsive website than to maintain two versions of the same site.

It frees up more time for you to dedicate to other important areas of your eCommerce website development or your business. And you could also offer tailored location-based offers to drive traffic to your website.

2.3 Provides a Seamless User Experience

This is by far one of the greatest benefits of having a responsive design in eCommerce website development. Unresponsive websites usually distort the way your website appears on devices like mobile, and tablet.

Whereas desktop viewers might have no problem viewing your website, the same cannot be said for mobile users. Texts are jumbled, images do not align and users have to scroll through endless pages in search of the information they need. This makes it a pain for users to use your site smoothly and seamlessly. 

Whereas desktop viewers might have no problem viewing your website, the same cannot be said for mobile users

So after such an experience like this, do you think such a user would come back to your website? We didn’t think so too. To avoid scenarios like this, it’d be worthwhile to evaluate the quality of your website design when implementing eCommerce website development. The benefits that will accrue to you in the long run, will outweigh whatever you’re going to spend on it in the beginning.

2.4 Adapts Easily To Any Screen Size

A responsive design is vital in eCommerce website development. Another benefit of having a great responsive website ready for all devices is its adaptability to any screen size.

A responsive design is vital in eCommerce website development

With a design like this, you’re way ahead of your competition. And it positions your website to seamlessly cater to newer devices that users use to surf the internet e.g. smartwatches, IoT devices, etc. Your website can automatically adjust itself to suit each screen. And finally…

2.5 A Responsive eCommerce Website Development Improves Your SEO Efforts

Responsive websites have a greater likelihood of ranking high in SERPs. That’s why eCommerce website designers usually try to adapt responsiveness in the design. 

The ‘user-focused’ experience and high-quality content could increase your dwell time. Thereby making users stick around for the long run. Google recommends a responsive website design pattern. Besides, it makes for a good user experience and improves your SEO efforts across all platforms.

Responsive websites have a greater likelihood of ranking high in SERPs

Having a responsive design in eCommerce website development can save you lots of money, and maintenance time and also help you to convert and retain more clients in the long run.

Now, you’re aware of the role of responsive design in a website. In this next session, we’ll walk you through how to make a responsive website for your business. 

3. Guide to building a responsive design for an eCommerce website? (In 5 easy steps)

3.1 Set Appropriate Responsive Breakpoints

In responsive design, a breakpoint is the “point” at which a website’s content and design will adapt in a certain way in order to provide the best possible user experience. Every eCommerce website development needs such a breakpoint to land more viewers. 

Every website is accessed via devices with different screen sizes and resolutions. The software has to render perfectly across each screen size. Content or images cannot be distorted, cut out, or obscured.

The software has to render perfectly across each screen size

3.2 Start with a Fluid Grid

Previously, websites were based on pixel measurements. Now, however, they are built on what is called a fluid grid.

Basically, a fluid grid sets web elements on a site in proportion to the screen size it is displayed. Instead of making things in a single, specific size set in pixels, elements on a fluid grid will respond and resize to fit the size of the screen.

Websites are built on what is called a fluid grid

3.3 Take touchscreens into consideration

When wondering how to make a website responsive, think of touchscreens. Most mobile devices (phones and tablets) are now equipped with touch screens. Some laptops are also catching up, offering touchscreen along with keyboard functions.

Most mobile devices (phones and tablets) are now equipped with touch screens

3.4 Define Typography

Generally, web developers define font sizes with pixels. These work on static websites, but responsive websites need a responsive font. Font size must change with respect to the parent container width. This is necessary to make typography adjust to screen size and be easily readable on multiple devices.

Web developers define font sizes with pixels

3.5 Use a pre-designed theme or layout to save time

If developers and designers are wondering how to build a responsive website on an exceptionally tight deadline, they can opt for using a theme or pre-designed layout with built-in responsive properties. WordPress provides multiple options in this regard (both free and paid). All designers have to do, after picking a theme, is to decide on color, branding, and text.

If you’re starting out and have a limited budget, hiring an eCommerce website development company could be cost-efficient. They have experience in creating a responsive website. So you can shift your time and concentration toward other things related to business operations. 

>>> Read more: Custom eCommerce website development: The Pros and Cons

Theme or pre-designed layout with built-in responsive properties

In fact, 40% of users have provided a poor mobile experience and ended up disappointing their potential customers. If you don’t want to be one of them, it’s time to dig deeper into responsiveness in eCommerce website development. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding this topic.