When it comes time to discuss website design & development for your business website, one topic that is bound to come up is mobile web design. Now, more than ever, people are accessing the internet from their mobile and tablet devices. It has become a necessity to provide a great user experience across all digital devices.
Yet, maybe you are having a difficult time deciding between a responsive website or a mobile website. Maybe you aren’t even sure what the differences are. However, there are some very distinct differences between the two.
What is a Mobile Website?
A mobile website is completely separate from your current website. They are typically accessed from a separate sub domain such as “http://m.yourwebsite.com”. They are fairly quick and easy to develop because they fit a general mobile screen size.
This means they do not adjust according to the size of a screen. If you view a mobile website from a cell phone it will appear fine. Yet, if you view it from a larger screen such as a tablet or wide-screen monitor, the website will still appear as if it is on the size of a mobile screen.
A mobile website is also very simplistic in design. There is usually text, some buttons, and very small images. They are not designed for much interactivity. So why would anyone choose a mobile website? Well, for one, they are less expensive to have created. It also doesn’t require a complete redesign of your current website.
However, a mobile website doesn’t provide the best user experience. The design doesn’t usually flow well with the desktop version of your website. In the end, you may actually lose potential customers due to a clunky mobile experience.
What is a Responsive Website?
A responsive website is one which adjusts to all screen sizes regardless of the device you are on. Unlike the mobile website, a responsive site retains the same look-and-feel as the desktop version. As the screen size adjusts, your website will have a more fluid appearance, as text and images shrink or expand depending on the size of the screen.
There is no need for a separate domain name either. Users will access the same URL across all devices. A responsive website is more complex to create as compared to a mobile website. However, it is well worth it. A web developer can design a responsive site to look better and provide more interactivity, thus keeping potential customers engaged and staying on your website longer.
In the end, the benefits of a responsive website far outweigh those of a mobile website. If your goal is to keep the same great user experience across all digital devices, a responsive website is definitely the best choice.
Contact us today to learn more about responsive website design and how it applies to your business website.