Mobile-First vs Responsive Design: How is One Different from the Other?

Mobile-First vs Responsive Design: How is One Different from the Other?

Mobile-first and responsive designs are a popular topic in the digital industry in recent years, especially among web designers, Internet marketing agencies, and tech-forward businesses. But while these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Responsive design and mobile-first design are two distinct approaches to web design.

The primary difference between the two web design trends is in how the designer tackles the website design. Responsive websites are reactive. These sites are designed for desktops first and then the contents shift to fit the screen size of whatever device they are viewed in. On the other hand, mobile-first websites are designed with the goal of offering the best possible mobile experience to users. The mobile version of the website is just as good – if not, better – than the desktop site.

But the big question is: Is one better than the other? Which one is best to use for your business website? Let’s get down and discuss the nuances of each design strategy to find out.

Responsive Web Design

In 2010, Ethan Marcotte coined the term responsive web design to describe a web design technique in which the website’s design adjusts itself automatically to fit the screen size of the device used by the visitor.

Responsive web design is aptly named because it responds to changes in display sizes. The website’s layout and content changes according to the width of the device’s browser. This means that the dimensions and format of a website will look different on a smartphone than if you were using a tablet or a laptop.

Think of responsive websites as like water that fits into whatever container you pour it in. The website’s design, content, and user interface are optimized for seamless access on any device or browser. However, because this design strategy only takes into account the adaptability of the content and design elements of a website; the mobile experience could be lacking.

When to Use Responsive Design 

Responsive design is more frequently used in websites that need to be informative and authoritative, such as those of B2B companies. This is because having well-structured HTML is great for SEO and search engine rankings.

If your business primarily caters to other businesses, and the majority of your website traffic comes from laptops and desktops, your website would benefit more from using responsive design. 

Mobile-First Design

It is common for businesses to design websites on the assumption that visitors will access it using a desktop computer. The website is then modified or scaled down to adapt to other devices such as tablets and smartphones. This approach is called graceful degradation or desktop-first. However, a lot of the functionalities and visual elements of desktop-first websites don’t translate well to mobile devices. This is when a designer may decide to adopt a mobile-first strategy.

To be mobile-first, the mobile version of the website must be the main focus of the design, taking into account the unique limits of mobile devices and the browsing behavior of mobile users. The design for mobile devices comes first and then it is scaled up for desktops.

The thing is; you don’t have to pick between responsive design and mobile-first design when creating or redesigning your website. This is because mobile-first is not a technical approach to web design, but rather a design philosophy that prioritizes designing for the smallest of screens first. Thus, mobile-first websites are always responsive, but responsive websites aren’t necessarily mobile-first.

When to Use Mobile-First Design

Mobile phone traffic currently accounts for more than 50% of all Internet traffic. With that information in mind, it is a must for every business to understand what “mobile-first design” is and how it can benefit their bottom line.

If it is extremely important for your website to work well on both mobile devices and desktops, mobile is the way to go. When you design for mobile-first, user experience becomes your main focus. As much as possible, you only incorporate necessary content and features on your website, so it loads faster.

Mobile-first design is all about providing the best possible experience for mobile users. This means less text, larger fonts, strategic CTA placement, and faster page speed, among others.

Is Mobile-First Design the Best for Your Website?

 A lot of websites have found success using the mobile-first strategy. However, this doesn’t mean that mobile-first design is the ideal choice for every business. Many companies choose to invest in a desktop-first website, for as long as mobile users are still able to quickly find the information they need. For one, a mobile-first website can be very costly – and it may not even get you the results you want.

Is a mobile-first website necessary for your business? To answer this question, you’ll need to get to know the people that visit your website. If the majority of your target audience use desktop computers, responsive design; if the majority of your target audience use mobile phones, mobile-first design. Of course, you also need to consider your budget and overall business goals when making the decision.

You see, your visitors won’t be able to tell the difference between responsive and mobile-first the moment they land on your website. What’s important is that users are able to access the information they seek and take action when they want to. The most successful websites are those that put the needs of their users first.