If you’ve read even one or two of our blog posts, you know that one of the concepts we’re really into is beautiful responsive design for mobile devices. And you can’t exactly blame us—after all, every week, we’re learning more about how online shopping is the future of retail as we know it, and we’ve also known for some time that mobile e-commerce is on the rise, to say the very least. (According to The New York Times, mobile commerce sales totaled $25 billion in 2012, up 81% since 2011, so it’s rather safe to say it’s skyrocketing!)
Whether you’re reading this while commuting on the train or bus or while working in a local café, you can take a look around at the people on their smartphones and tablets and know that it’s highly likely that at least one of them is making an online purchase this very minute. And if you’re the owner of an ecommerce business, you no doubt understand that it’s important to cater to your customers’ shopping preferences, and it’s very clear that responsive design is an important piece of that puzzle. While we won’t say that the customer is absolutely always right, in this case, $25 billion in annual sales is an extremely powerful indicator.
But user preference is far from the only reason to choose a genius responsive design strategy for your ecommerce page. This great post from Business2Community, for example, tells us that Google also advocates passionately for the use of responsive design—and frankly, when Google says it’s a good idea, we’re inclined to agree. Designing a single website that renders well on any device is much better for your search engine optimization strategy than maintaining several discrete pages for personal computers and phones and tablets. Business2Comunity also cites the pleasing elegance and simplicity of one site conceived for any device. It eliminates clutter and streamlines your content, which makes your user experience stronger and more positive.
As a business owner, you’re no doubt asking yourself: what’s a website overhaul going to cost me? The good news is that the benefits of implementing responsive design best practices are well worth the price, especially when you work with a team of expert consultants who can help you to have a top-quality site without breaking the bank. Allocating a portion of your current budget for an effective web design makeover means you’re making it more attractive for shoppers to do business with you. The statistics don’t lie: it’s a true investment in the future of your company.
We won’t make the prediction that all online shopping will eventually be via smartphone or tablet; some users will always prefer using a desktop to make purchases. That being said, mobile commerce is experiencing exponential growth, and it’s highly likely that entire generations of new smartphone users will add to the numbers. Are your on-the-go browsing and shopping experiences all they should be? Be sure a terrific responsive design strategy is part of your business plan—your future depends on it!