Responsive web is a design approach that allows content and images to fit across different screen sizes and various devices. 

Most Core Components of Responsive Web Designs :

  • Consistency of contents
  • Compatibility with different platforms/devices
  • Intuitive navigation
  • Images that resize
  • The flexibility of grids/columns
  • Brand elements
  • Call to action buttons.

Responsive design done right boosts SEO results, customer acquisition and retention, and lower bounce rates. With over 75% of the world’s population accessing the information on mobile and doing their essential daily searches on mobile sites, it’s absolutely vital for developers to keep their design engaging and mobile-friendly. 

Keep menus simple yet innovative

A menu bar doesn’t have to be on the right always, and menus don’t have to be long. You can keep them short and simple, try new asymmetric layouts to make the design more innovative and intuitive.

Streamline data entry

Entering information on smaller screen sizes is not particularly an enjoyable task for users. Use auto-fill, voice-activated inputs, and other simple methods to avoid bounce rates.

Keep call-to-action buttons in the centre

A lot of websites stress aesthetics and brand promotion while keeping the immediate call to action out of direct vision. Change up this technique and give prominence to call to action buttons especially when the need for customer engagement is critical. Design them within efficient form structures so they stand out from the rest of the content. 

Use AR/VR for product display

AR/VR have taken viewer experience from outside of hand-held devices and desktops to a whole new level. 

In e-commerce, fashion, auto, and retail industries, AR/VR have become an integral part of responsive web design. With the popularity of wearables, AR headphones, mobile/webcams, more users are likely to derive immersive experience from websites and apps that provide cutting edge technologies. 

Faster loading pages

Faster loading is a priority for web designers as well as SEO engines. If a page loads within three seconds, user interest is maintained. It’s a best practice recommended by Google. Developers/designers must reduce page weight, compress images and resources, reduce the number of requests to optimise browser caching, optimise CSS delivery, and avoid landing page redirects. 

Use responsive images

Use flexible images that can be easily scaled according to screen sizes so that pages don’t slow down while the image is loading. Responsive images can be created with CSS and if you need fast load times, use srcset to load smaller images on mobile. Decide how you want to display the image. For instance, you might want to display 100% on mobile and 50% for other devices. Smaller file sizes work in countries where network connectivity is unstable. Now with an increase in the use of illustrations, GIFs, iconography, etc, designers have to make them responsive as well.

Intuitive navigation

Adopt a mobile-first approach while designing. The design should have essential built-in features that make navigation easier for users. Keep the content simple and direct with visual cues that users can intuitively click. Focus on important and urgent content by using fewer words accompanied by images. Use simple typography and reduce the number of links to the navigation menu. Your site should have clean lines and strong colours, even though the overall design could be experimental and asymmetric. In using unusual patterns and forms, ensure that the user doesn’t get lost in the glamour but gets anchored via an elegantly designed navigation menu. 

Use white space

Minimalism was in vogue last year and is here to stay for a good while longer. Research suggests that 90% of users will leave the site if the layout isn’t attractive and welcoming. The use of white space aesthetically can render a sleek and stylish look to your overall design. Paired with contrasting colours and abstract geometric shapes, floating elements, rotating illustrations, hand-drawn illustrations/cartoons, and other creative components, white space plays an important role in making the site more engaging.

Incorporate dynamic interactive features

Static design works well with certain objectives and business ends. However, some dynamic features spice up your site in all the right ways. For instance, you can use the Parallax effect to make objects move at different speeds on the same screen. Even if you want a static layout, you can add uniquely designed infographics for certain content types. 3D animations are yet another interesting feature to try to make your content more engaging. Neomorphism (raised, extruded look) is another design style to make mobile renditions more attractive. Use scroll-triggered animation/picture transitions with contrasting or calming color schemes so that each scroll feels like a different page.

Dark mode

Dark mode continues to be popular as it reduces strain on the eyes and offers a smoother user experience. Although it’s not a new trend, it’s known to prevent ADD, saves battery life, and is also considered a colour that evokes feelings of luxury and affluence. If dark mode goes with the brand colors, they should be used to make the site even more with minimalist design elements. However, developers should find a balance and not go too dark. It’s better to test the dark mode with users concerning the particular use case. 

Developers should keep updated with new design trends and continuously improve their responsive design skills to make room for new elements and styles.