Web Design And Development For Dummies Or Newbies

Design is defined as the process whereby one collects ideas then aesthetically arranges and implements them while being guided by a set of principles to achieve a specific outcome. Website design is similar to that, only that it has an intention of presenting content on web pages where end users can gain access via the internet while they are using a web browser. Some of the elements of web design include:

Layout

The arrangement where ads, graphics and text are concerned. In the web world, where the goal is always to find information that users seek at a glance. The reason for this is to maintain consistency, balance and the design integrity.

Colors

This usually depends on the purpose for your website. The design could range from a multi-colored design to a simple black and white one that goes on to convey the person’s or brand’s personality.

Fonts

Using various fonts is important for enhancing a website design since some web browsers are known to select only web safe fonts. A website designer will work within this particular group since it is widely accepted.

Graphics

These include photos, logos, icons or clip art that are used for the purposes of enhancing the web design. For your website to be user-friendly, the aforementioned must be placed appropriately in that while working with the content and colour they should not be slow to load or too congested.

Content

Design and content work together for the purposes of enhancing the site’s message through text and visuals. With written text, it’s important to always ensure that it’s useful and relevant to not confuse the reader. It’s also important to ensure that the content incorporates relevant keywords, is of suitable length and optimized for search engines.

Responsive Web Design

Having a responsive web design is important because people will be able to access content through their smartphones or other mobile devices they have. A responsive web design is when a designer creates a web page that basically resizes itself or automatically responds to any device. This could be any of the following;

Desktop computer monitor
A laptop
10-inch tablet
7-inch tablet
4-inch smartphone screen

Responsive sites work by using fluid grids where all page elements are sized by proportion as opposed to pixels. Its purpose is to have one site but when viewed on different devices that are of different sizes, the elements respond differently. An example of this is when one is viewing something on a desktop computer. The website they are on might show three columns but if the same site is viewed on a smaller tablet of 10, 7 or 4 inches, the screen automatically adjusts itself into two columns. On a smartphone, content may be seen as a single column. Basically, depending on the device you are viewing a site on, a responsive design works by automatically adjusting itself to accommodate the content in an efficient way.

Because of this, most businesses are encouraged to employ responsive designs where their online businesses are concerned.

Smartphone shipments are outpacing regular phones and that tablet growth is also surging. To confirm this, check the flow of traffic on your website. If you are in online business and you will observe that mobile users range on the higher side where visitors in your site is concerned. Some of the advantages of responsive design include;

Super Flexible

Since responsive websites are fluid-based, the content is able to move freely in regards to all devices and screen resolutions. Both images and grids are fluid so the same way liquid spreads or draws in for the purposes of filling an allocated space while also retaining its appearance; a responsive website’s fluidity basically achieves the same results.

Recommended By Google

Google has for a while stated that responsive web designs are their recommended mobile configuration and they have referred to them as industry’s best practice. This is mainly because responsive web design sites have the same HTML and one URL making it efficient and easier for Google to index, crawl and organize content. Another reason as to why Google prefers responsive web designs is because content living on one URL or website is easy to interact with, share and link to. This is as opposed to content that lives on separate mobile sites.

Excellent User Experience

With this, users are able to find content anywhere and from any website. This is through the device they choose or prefer, which basically provides users with optimal user experience. Busy professionals or students who usually access content from anywhere find responsive web design accommodating since no scrolling or resizing is needed.

Cost Effective

A single site basically conforms to all devices needs as opposed to having two separate websites. One website obviously saves you money because it costs less than two, meaning the savings can be substantial. With responsive web design, SEO efforts are enhanced when all visitors are directed to one site while using the device they prefer.

Easy To Manage

A responsive web design enables you to easily manage one SEO campaign and one site instead of having two sites; one for desktop and one for mobile sites and two SEO campaigns. This is a key advantage that responsive websites have over separate mobile sites and having an SEO strategy that is mobile specific will enable you to optimize keywords likely to be searched more when one is scrolling through their smartphone.