To begin with, let’s figure out what the heck it actually is. Obviously, it must have something to do with the World Wide Web, and more particularly, mankind’s latest innovation that has taken the world by the storm and is known as the website. Well, a website, to be precise, consists of a collection of (web) pages that contains exhaustive information about a product or services that you feel interested to know. But how would you acquire the info unless you can access the website?

A website or rather a set of web pages can be viewed or otherwise accessed from an array of computer-based and internet-enabled devices of a variety of sizes ( screens) such as desktop PCs, laptops, PDAs as well as hand-held cell phones. Previously, websites were designed in such a way that they could jolly well be displayed on 17” desktop computer screens. But when it came to a smartphone, maybe an iPhone screen which is around 4.7”, problems arose. Nevertheless, it was eventually resolved with the introduction of Responsive Web design. But how responsive it really was? The simple answer consists of a mother’s response to her infant’s craving for attention – all embracing! So is the RWD.

But why and how responsive website design has become the buzz word now? The simple reason is that people today seek access to websites mostly through their cell phones where regularly designed sites prove total failure because contents designed for 17” screens could never be displayed satisfactorily on 4.7” screens. In other words, the need for websites optimized for mobile browsing has become paramount now. What’s more, studies now reveal that mobile searches have surpassed desktop searches by leaps and bounds.

Even though there are quite a few ways and means by which you can optimize websites for mobile devices, such as having mobile versions of sites, or separate mobile apps to resolve the issue, yet for all practical purposes, RWD has become the industry standard for websites today.

Inside story of RWD

The secret behind RWD lies in its wording and nomenclature. Responsive Web Design is utterly responsive to the device on which it works. Web designers and developers conquer this by creating websites that can re-size, re-display as also restructure navigational elements and layouts across a wide range of devices. In other words, it fills and occupies a vessel like a fluid material flowing into it, covering its contours in a splendid way and fashion. In simpler version, it is focused on providing an optimal user experience on a website, allowing viewers to read the text, appreciate the images and savor the content to the fullest.

How RWD originated

Conceptualized by Ethan Morcotte in May 2010, who had clearly explained that responsive web design is not a single idea or innovation but ne plus ultra of multiple techniques to adjust desktop websites for an optimized mobile experience.

Nevertheless, there is a marked difference between mobile websites and Responsive websites. Firstly, they look different and secondly, mobile website domains are different or are found on separate sub-domain, often represented by m.website.com. But the domain remains the same on Responsive websites.

Moreover, even though simple mobile sites may prove more cost effective as compared to Responsive, you need to have two separate domains, while two websites have pronounced effect on SEO and user experience. What’s more, a mobile site may not rank well on search engines and are likely to offer pared back functionality as compared to desktop website.

Why RWD has become more popular

One of the basic problems with native apps and mobile websites is that they do not cater for convergence of software (such as app stores) or developments with device sizes and formats. Also, apps and mobile devices will require pricy updates as things change, and as such remain a scalable solution.

Not only this, but whereas it was once acceptable to have the bare essentials of information on a mobile website, consumer expectations are now much higher – most users anticipate that a company’s mobile website should be as good or better than their desktop website.

This anticipation had originally led to mobile first approaches to website development. Consequently, websites were developed for mobile use firstly, and adapted to desktop use secondarily Whereas, Responsive web development is growing in popularity because it allows for one website to be used for both, resulting in lesser costs and better continuity of user experience.

Responsive website design has at last made businesses confident about their websites to be accessed by people using their smartphones, which is now the order of the day. This has revamped sales, allowed more number of people to go for mobile search and made web viewing a more satisfying experience.