All designers love to produce new websites, but with the ever-changing development of new mobile devices and the associated complications of browsers and operating systems, issues with responsive sites are continuously arising.
With mobile and tablet usage becoming increasingly popular with internet browsing on the move, it is now more important than ever to make sure that websites are developed to be responsive for all devices.
We have come across a few stumbling blocks during the responsive website design process, so we thought we’d share this handy key check list to ensure your site is delivering the best results possible.
1) RESPONSIVE IS KEY
I expect we’ve all had that experience of reaching a website on our tablet or mobile and being directed to what can only be described as … well, let’s face it, I can’t remember as I instantly navigated back to the search engine!
The key to success in the ever-growing m-commerce sphere has to be making your site responsive. Conversion rates are very poor for non-responsive sites due to poor functionality, display issues and bad user experience. Ensure you face this problem head on and make your site responsive from the get go!
2) REDIRECT TO WHERE?
If you choose to have a separate mobile site, instead of making one site responsive and universal for all devices, there are a new problem you will face.
When a user (on a smart phone) clicks on a specific page link from a browser they will be redirected to your separate mobile site, hence starting from the index/home page. This can cause user experience issues, and could result in the potential lead redirecting away from your site.
3) TEST, TEST, TEST
Testing your site is vital to success. Industry professionals generally test on the top 5 browsers; although this is common practice it does not insure 100% access rates for potential customers on other varied browsers. This can lead to lost conversions.
4) DON’T BE VULNERABLE
Would you leave your keys in your car whilst walking into a nearby shop? Didn’t think so. This is the same for your website, you must safeguard your Content Management System (CMS) to protect it from hackers.
Hackers can perform cross-site scripting and DDos attacks, if security is weak. This can be very harmful to your site in many ways such as, giving them access to the back end database and also crashing your site. Prevention from the beginning will result in happy customers from the get go and will help you to avoid a costly mistake.
Be aware that new software and developments to existing software are continuously creating opportunities for hackers to cleverly gain access to sites; such as the heart bleed virus.
5) CLICK TO UPDATE
Compatibility is an ongoing problem for all web/software designers as the major online market leaders, Microsoft, Google and Apple, are always in competition to produce the latest software innovations. This is a constant threat to your site as the latest software developments may not be compatible. This is why updating your software constantly and keeping up with online trends is a must have for a successful website.
6) JOURNEY FROM A – B
Always consider general usability when creating a responsive site. Unbelievably this fundamental is widely overlooked. With new software and devices round the corner there are a few things you should bare in mind.
Firstly, screen resolutions. You may think this is a minor point, however the difference in screen resolutions on varies devices can dramatically change the way an image is displayed from one to the next. This could really affect your user journey, and potentially result in lost conversions.
Another point to consider is your audiences. You must try and cover every possible eventuality for your users to access your site, for example one user may have visual impairment and require text to be significantly bigger. This could result in a problem if user experience has not been adapted for all audiences.
7) CONTENT = CONVERSION = HAPPY CUSTOMER
After the design and functionality of your site is complete, the next and most important step of your website is to add content. This is the easy bit. However, it is vital that content is regularly updated and maintained in terms of products, prices and offers.
What is the use of having some fantastic products and offers if nobody can see them? Consider customers that are purchasing products online and they hit the checkout to find that the products are no longer on offer, so they have been stung with a full price checkout! Ouch! This is why above all else content must be constantly reviewed.
We hope these tips help you in your quest to produce the perfect responsive site.
If a user cannot find what they want within 3 clicks, be sure that they will not have the patience to look any further.
If this all seems too much to handle and you need our assistance with building and creating a fully functional integrated eCommerce website, please get in touch at hello@exactabacus.com, or visit our website www.exactabacus.com.
by Emily Waddecar on 30/06/2014
