Responsive Design Is The Future Of Mobile Development
Use of mobile devices is increasing, and this
means that the Internet is becoming more accessible to more people and in more
places. This poses a dilemma for organizations: how to provide an enjoyable
Internet experience for mobile device users without diverting resources from
traditional websites aimed at users of larger screen devices, such as desktops
and laptops. As Internet access become ubiquitous, organizations struggle with
the best way to address all devices in a cost-effective manner.
One Internet
Since Internet access through mobile devices such as smartphones is a more
recent development than access through desktops, laptops, and netbooks, there
is a tendency to use phrases like “the mobile web” to address the fact that
desktop-optimized websites suffer when accessed from mobile devices. However,
the phrase is misleading. There is only one Internet. The problem is not that
smartphones and tablet computers created a new Internet, the problem is that
traditional websites are difficult to navigate on a small screen.
Forking was the first response to this problem. With forking, an organization creates separate websites for big screens and small screens. Unfortunately, the data on actual Internet use show many different devices and many different screen sizes. It clearly isn't possible to create separate websites for every device with Internet access. The problem requires a scalable solution.
Forking was the first response to this problem. With forking, an organization creates separate websites for big screens and small screens. Unfortunately, the data on actual Internet use show many different devices and many different screen sizes. It clearly isn't possible to create separate websites for every device with Internet access. The problem requires a scalable solution.
Responsive web design
Responsive web design (RWD) presents an strategy for providing a compelling Internet
experience for users of all devices. RWD is supported by web browsers, it's
based on HTML standards (CSS3), and is SEO-friendly. By creating different
styles for different devices, RWD allows for the creation of one website that
is adaptable to all devices.
RWD thus allows organizations to allocate resources efficiently. Web designers only need develop and maintain one Internet experience that RWD optimizes for all devices.
RWD thus allows organizations to allocate resources efficiently. Web designers only need develop and maintain one Internet experience that RWD optimizes for all devices.
Content creation
Right now, most content authors are not developers. For years, content
management systems and other tools have allowed non-developers to create
content. Will implementation of responsive web design hinder the work flow of
websites? Not if done correctly. Developers must navigate the complexities of
setting up the RWD strategy, and authors must understand that RWD websites must
change appearances for each device. With the proper web content management
strategies, templates, and established responsive rule sets, developers can use
a RWD strategy while continuing to allow non-technical personnel to continue to
create web content.
Disadvantage of responsive web design
While RWD is the best practice overall, there is one noticeable disadvantage.
Providing one Internet experience for all devices treats all devices and all
Internet users the same. However, an organization may wish to differentiate
among different Internet users by differentiating among devices.
For example, a company that sells a platform-specific product, such as an iPhone app, may not care about optimizing the Internet experience of various Android phones. For such reasons, a organization may prefer native mobile apps for marketing certain products.
For example, a company that sells a platform-specific product, such as an iPhone app, may not care about optimizing the Internet experience of various Android phones. For such reasons, a organization may prefer native mobile apps for marketing certain products.
The future of mobile development
Responsive web design is the future of mobile development because it provides a
scalable strategy to optimize websites for all devises on the market, and even
for devices which have yet to be created. Key mobile tools such as building,
debugging, testing, deploying, and optimization must adapt to utilize
responsive web design while allowing non-developers to continue to create
content.
Author Bio:
Derek
Whitney works for Hudson Horizons, an integrated web agency. He keeps himself by blogging,
creating different types of content, and optimizing sites.