Website design in 2017 is nothing like it was even five years ago. Today's web surfers are not only more mobile than ever before, but they also interact with more devices than ever before. A typical Seattle web user might check the weather from her smartphone in the morning, read a few articles on her iPad while riding the train to work, and then settle in for the day in front of her laptop.

To exceed the expectations of today's users, responsive design is an easy way to bring your website design into 2017 and beyond. It is also a cost-effective way to keep your website up-to-date and optimized for a variety of users while also keeping Google happy. Perfect.

What is Responsive Design?

While not exactly new to the landscape, responsive design is becoming increasingly essential for almost every type of website design. A responsive approach is one that keeps the user's experience at the forefront of the design and consists of a flexible layout that automatically responds to the user's screen size, platform, and screen orientation.

The result is a seamless experience for the user. Your website looks and feels the same whether it is displayed on a smartphone in landscape or portrait view, a wide-screen desktop computer, a narrow tablet, or any other device.

Beyond the User

A good website designer will always keep your needs right alongside the user's need when it comes to website design. The good news is that responsive design is also good for your bottom line, too! First, if you have been maintaining a separate mobile website to accommodate mobile users, you can stop wasting valuable resources duplicating your efforts. Every change to your website only needs to happen once, and it's optimized for everyone.

Second, responsive design is something that Google wants you to have, and that will boost your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts dramatically. Starting just last year, Google started expanding the use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. In other words, Google will look to see if your website design is mobile-friendly before including it in a list of search engine results. How does Google recommend businesses achieve this friendliness? Responsive design.

Reinventing the Wheel?

While implementing a responsive design will mean an overhaul of your website design, it does not have to mean reinventing the wheel. The majority of your content and functionality can stay just the way it is. You won't have to rebuild your website from the ground up or start fresh with new graphics and a rehabbed roadmap. There may need to be a few tweaks along the way, but your web designer will be able to let you know what needs to be changed before you get started so you know what's coming.

If you are looking for the best way to keep website visitors happy while boosting SEO efforts and keeping costs down, responsive design should be the next project for your website designer.