How many times have you tried to browse a website on your phone or tablet only to be frustrated with a barely legible, shrunken version? You cramp your fingers to expand and focus the screen just to get something you can read and navigate. The menus are inaccessible or unwieldy. Horizontal scrolling is impossible. A layout that would look clean on a desktop is now cluttered.
Now, does this happen on your local government website as well?
More than half of Americans use their mobile devices to access and search the Internet. That percentage continues to grow, and for good reason. Phones are nearly always connected and accessible. Apps like Safari and Google Chrome make surfing the Web on a phone easy. Still, far too many government sites have yet to adopt what is known as Responsive Web Design (RWD).
RWD is an approach to web design that makes sites and pages render properly on a number of devices -- adapting to screen size, orientation, and platform. The navigation of these sites is smooth and seamless on any device and on any size screen. This adaptability further helps ensure compliance with ADA and accessibility standards.
Another reason to implement RWD is the dominance of Google Search. In 2015 the search engine changed its mighty algorithms to consider a website’s mobile device “friendliness” in their rankings. A website that is difficult to view on mobile screens will rank lower on searches, thus getting less attention from those doing a cursory search.
For example, if someone is on their phone searching for vacation ideas, Google is going to rank websites that have RWD higher than those without. Now picture if the person searching is actually a corporate vice president looking for potential locations for a manufacturing facility or franchise. Without RWD, your local government website will appear old and outdated, and not effectively showcase your community.
Updating to a responsive web design is easy, and it delivers multiple benefits. An RWD website is “future-proofed”, meaning it will adapt to whatever size screen it is viewed on, from a wide desktop monitor to a smartwatch. It will have readable text that doesn’t require zooming, open space for tap targets, and no irritating horizontal scrolling. You will ensure users a faster load time for your site and a consistent experience across all platforms. Visitors to your site using a mobile device will get quick access to essential information. Your website will rank higher in searches and not get lost in the Google search stampede. It will support ADA and accessibility compliance. And your community will be accessible to all residents and constituents, potential visitors, and possible investors. RWD is the smart and responsible design choice.
For more information on RWD, visit GovOffice.com/rwd
Now, does this happen on your local government website as well?
More than half of Americans use their mobile devices to access and search the Internet. That percentage continues to grow, and for good reason. Phones are nearly always connected and accessible. Apps like Safari and Google Chrome make surfing the Web on a phone easy. Still, far too many government sites have yet to adopt what is known as Responsive Web Design (RWD).
RWD is an approach to web design that makes sites and pages render properly on a number of devices -- adapting to screen size, orientation, and platform. The navigation of these sites is smooth and seamless on any device and on any size screen. This adaptability further helps ensure compliance with ADA and accessibility standards.
Another reason to implement RWD is the dominance of Google Search. In 2015 the search engine changed its mighty algorithms to consider a website’s mobile device “friendliness” in their rankings. A website that is difficult to view on mobile screens will rank lower on searches, thus getting less attention from those doing a cursory search.
For example, if someone is on their phone searching for vacation ideas, Google is going to rank websites that have RWD higher than those without. Now picture if the person searching is actually a corporate vice president looking for potential locations for a manufacturing facility or franchise. Without RWD, your local government website will appear old and outdated, and not effectively showcase your community.
Updating to a responsive web design is easy, and it delivers multiple benefits. An RWD website is “future-proofed”, meaning it will adapt to whatever size screen it is viewed on, from a wide desktop monitor to a smartwatch. It will have readable text that doesn’t require zooming, open space for tap targets, and no irritating horizontal scrolling. You will ensure users a faster load time for your site and a consistent experience across all platforms. Visitors to your site using a mobile device will get quick access to essential information. Your website will rank higher in searches and not get lost in the Google search stampede. It will support ADA and accessibility compliance. And your community will be accessible to all residents and constituents, potential visitors, and possible investors. RWD is the smart and responsible design choice.
For more information on RWD, visit GovOffice.com/rwd
