Responsive design is becoming popular for many Web developers who are looking for new and innovative ways for users to have a better experience with their websites. Responsive design websites are able to conform to the size of the user’s screen, whether it’s on a mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer, so they will have a better experience navigating through the site. Many surveys have been conducted outlining mobile users’ experience, and they all conclude that mobile users prefer using the mobile Web for shopping instead of mobile apps. That means it’s vital to a business’s ROI for their website to be mobile-friendly and accessible to all mobile phone users. Big companies, such as Microsoft, BBC and NASCAR, have already adopted responsive design websites to increase their sales and solidify their brands.

Why Marketers Are at Odds About Responsive Design
Marketers are choosing responsive design because it trumps native applications when it comes to consistent branding and reducing costs. When deciding what type of website design to use, marketers are at odds; however, they all agree that the customer experience is the most critical factor in the decision. This should be looked at before deciding what type of strategy to use for the website.

Responsive design isn’t a magic wand designed to increase mobile sales. In fact, responsive design without any strategy is simply just an extension of a desktop website on a mobile phone. However, a successful marketer would think about what the mobile user wants before creating a responsive design. This is the only way to enhance a customer’s experience when using the mobile Web. The same goes for marketers designing sites for tablet and desktop users.

Differences Between User-Experience Design and User-Friendly Design
When designing, think about what mobile Web users are actually looking for. There is a very big difference between user-experience design and user-centered design, although they may be used in conjunction to some degree. User-experience design focuses on the experience of users, whereas user-centered design focuses on what users do and how they do it. Both forms of design have inherent weaknesses and strengths. Which one your business chooses depends on your website’s purpose.