It was not too long ago that an organization had to develop several websites for the same domain to be able to take advantage of smart phone market as well as tablets. A company had to invest to create a website for the mobile market as much as your standard computer users. In many cases using a version of their domain such as abc.com and mobile.abc.com etc.
It used to be an expansive task to get an organization visible across multiple devices such as computers, smart phones, and tablets. Missing out on any of these markets can have significant impact on an organization. It can affect everything from loosing market share, image and branding, or poor customer service experience by customers with expectations.
In today’s digital world, we already access the Internet and it’s services via smart phones at 60%. This trend will only continue to increase. Organizations must be visible these days across all platforms to stay competitive.
Responsive Design and HTML5 Is The Answer And Solution
The solution to the past website design and development problems and challenges is Responsive Design and HTML5 website design. It allows developers to work with HTML5 and implement Responsive Design websites that work across all devices such as computers, tablets, and smart phones.
Organizations and companies can now make only one investment and benefit from it across multiple communication channels. Less investment and a multiplier for the benefits is a smart decision. Further, these software applications that power websites come with a vast amount of plugins enhancing and adding functionality to a website with ease. They are also easier to maintain and manage.
Should Everyone Switch Over To A Responsive Design HTML5 Website?
The answer to whether everyone should switch over to some type of a responsive designed website, is simple. It is yes, regardless of industry and offering of a business. HTML5 has been decided upon and made the industry standard for at least the next 10 years plus. This means most developers will be building in this programming language for a while. Most software applications will be utilizing it and requiring it. Without getting into programming languages and the ins and outs of developing, it will be a requirement soon.
Regardless of industry, most organizations can benefit from being seen with a smart phone such as an iPhone or Android based. Same with tablets and of course there still is the computer (for now). These types of websites are also easier to maintain, much of the operations are streamlined and easy to edit. The CMS systems which give the operator administrative control of a website are updated frequently and use the latest in technology. This has made managing websites much easier and efficient in comparison to just a couple years ago.
When Is The Right Time To Make The Switch To A Responsive Design Site?
All new website design and development projects should be done with responsive design HTML5. Existing websites have to plan ahead and realize some work is involved with the migration of data, functionality, and navigation. In most cases, additions and expansions of the existing website are made with the redevelopment.
When a company hires a vendor to upgrade or develop a new website to Responsive Design, the client will have to outline and gather all needed material, information, and content that are basically required by the vendor as they develop the new website. This is the clients responsibility with the decision to upgrade their website. Of course, aside from this responsibility as a client, the cost is there. A budget is needed for the upgrade if it is contracted out. This is the case for most organizations and companies.
What is the cost of Responsive Design Websites?
The cost of course varies, but in general Responsive Design sites are less than older website projects contracted out. How can this be? Well, a developer just has to do one website in HTML5 (programming language) and use a quality Content Management System (CMS) such as Worldpress for the client. CMS systems update HTML5 CSS website with easy and are much easier to manage by the clients. This all drives design, development, management, and maintenance costs down for the client.
A programmer can base the cost to the client now on only one language, which is HTML5. After design cost, and other technology assistance, the client receives much more cost-effective solutions with websites. The prices range depending on size of the website, functions required, and design work involved.
In US dollars and the North American markets, most of these websites will range when professionally developed between $2,000 on the low end and $30,000 on the high end. This is with an average of $5,000 to $10,000 of an investment for an organization and company.
It is a smart investment. It will last for at least the next 10 years and bring much ease to the operator in managing it and maintaining it over the next few years.
