SEO Benefits of Responsive Web Design

With more and more people using tablets and smartphones to browse the internet, it is significantly important to create a website that works across a variety of platforms. Responsive web design (RWD) is now inflexibly recognized as the best way to create a website mobile visitors love. It has become a central feature of the modern web design landscape.

Responsive design means a website’s pages reformat themselves reliant on the device they are being displayed on. This ensures whether the content that is viewed on a tablet, phone or desktop computer the website will stay user-friendly.

When it comes to SEO a responsive layout can also increase the chances of a website succeeding in the SERPs, but do you know why?

Responsive Helps Combat a High Bounce Rate

If a website is sitting pretty in search results, but doesn’t work properly for mobile and tablet users; the bounce rate will be a big problem. Most of the time, mobile websites can suffer from a high bounce rate if the content offered is too stripped down, or too different from the content offered on the desktop site. Google then interprets this high bounce rate as a sign that a website isn’t offering relevant content to users, which is likely to lead to a drop in rankings.

A site that is responsively designed fights this problem by showing all of the same content found on the desktop site; in a practical way. With responsive web design, there is no need to compromise on the content you choose to display. This makes sure visitors always receive the information they are looking for, which also keeps them engaged and stay on the page.

Google Loves Responsive

Since you are trying to impress Google, it is recommended to pay attention to what it loves. Google not only recommends RWD as the best way to target mobile users, but is also in favour of mobile-optimized sites when presenting results for searches that are made on a mobile device.

Enhanced User Experience

When it comes to sharing content, websites are a key tool. A site that is user-friendly makes it easier and simpler for visitors to find, engross and pass on this content. Responsive design puts an emphasis on designing for the user and with user experience being a big rank factor; Google is encouraging developers to grip RWD.

Regardless whether users use their tablets or smartphones to view content, they should be able to view all content just like a desktop user. Say you’re searching on a computer and you spot something you wish to share to a friend’s phone; if the website is designed well and responsive, the content will work just as well for them as it did for you.

If you wish to browse using your smartphone and/or tablet and expect to have a smooth desktop experience, going responsive is one of the most effective ways.

One Website, One URL

Having a responsive website, allows you to build social shares for just one URL. When the site does get shared, regardless of where the link has been viewed, all the content will be clear and easy to navigate. Designing a responsive website also allows you to maintain your backlinks, which means you can focus your SEO on one single site. Meaning all of your links will be directed to one domain, which overall gives your responsive website a boost in SERPs.