Websites today have pushed their boundaries so that their appearance goes beyond laptop and desktop computers. Keeping pace with the growth of mobile devices, browsers and platforms, customers want the online visibility of their sites to grow rapidly. The concept of responsive web design arises from this very consideration.

What is Responsive Web Design?

Following the definition, it refers to the creation of a website, which could work properly on all devices and screen sizes, regardless of the type of device, be it desktop or mobile. The layout reacts instantly to any changes, depending on the width of the view port, among other factors. Professionals generally break it down into three main components, including:

flexible grids

In order for the website design to be visible on any screen, the main requirement is to have a fluctuating grid base. These grids are very important as they allow the site to fit into the small space of a cell phone or fit on a computer screen. Once the grid takes on a suitable layout, the content automatically aligns with the change in browser size.

flexible media

Images and text that often have a hard time fitting the screen dimensions are given a breather in responsive web designs. This sophisticated way of designing websites allows for flexible font sizes, and the same goes for images. In case the website requires multiple versions of the same photo or demands to hide the image to emphasize the fonts more, responsive web design is perhaps the best option.

media questions

These queries are useful when designers target and include different styles of website design that use the same content. They are combined with flexible grids and flexible media to make way for an ideal responsive website design. There are two important methods to initialize media queries. The first of these is the @media rule, which designers use within an existing style sheet. The second method is the @import rule, which is useful when designers want to include a new style sheet.

In these three key components of responsive web design, various elements find their repeated use. These include:

  • Navigation: The navigation location of the site depends a lot on the width of the browser. For laptop screen users, it should be below the logo or in the upper right corner. Similarly, for mobile users, the navigation should be at the top center.

  • Columns: The number of columns on a responsive website should vary between one and three, depending on the width of the browser.

  • Calls to action: The presence of calls to action regardless of screen size enhances the essence of responsive design.

  • Brand: Brand elements must be clearly visible on the site, regardless of screen size.

  • Padding and blanks: Adequate margins and spacing on the website ensure that the page is free of misalignment.