Is responsive web design right for your business?

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

Since the first web enabled mobile device hit the market back in 1996 (Thanks, Nokia!), mobile (and the emergence of tablet) technology and the way we access the internet has come on leaps and bounds. Today, we want everything and everything in an instant – including access to websites and information. If you can surf the tides of trend then your customers will thank you, and with the latest offering to user experience (amongst other things) being responsive design, we look at the pros, the cons, and overall whether a responsive website is right for your business.

“Is there a need for responsive web design?”

Did you know that in the UK alone consumer spending via mobiles and tablets is worth £8bn a year, with this set to triple (at minimum!) over the next five years to£ 23bn?* [*source:  Verdict]

Take into account that over 90% of people are within reaching distance of their mobile 24/7, and that half of these when looking to buy are more likely to buy from a mobile friendly site – it is no wonder that the webisphere have gone mobile/tablet/responsive crazy.

Did you know that there are more than 232 sizes of screen available on different devices?

Sure, once upon a time ‘mobile’ only versions of sites may have been of use. But now what? Create 232 different layouts to cover all your bases?  What about new emerging technologies? What happens then?

This is where responsive website design comes in. One layout that responds to the device that it is viewed on. One design that adapts and adjusts to the user and their chosen viewing device.

Gone in an instant are the worries and wads of cash you had lined up for the endless possibilities and versions of your website and subsequent multiple SEO strategies (read about the effect of responsive web design on your SEO here). Responsive could be the answer to all your questions. But are there any catches? Is it definitely the right step forward for you and your business?

The Pros

Aside from the obvious time and money go-to’s, what else is ‘in it’ for you?

1. Responsive websites are processed by the user browser (Chrome, Safari, etc) not your server, meaning the browser identifies and determines the kind of layout that will suit it best and re-arrange your information accordingly. 

2. Responsive design is already the ‘industry standard’ dictated by Google with impact on SEO rankings/listings. Websites that are not deemed ‘suitable’ to mobile/tablet and as a result yield higher bounce rates will be penalised.

3. Responsive design will deliver a consistent experience to your user across all platforms they choose to view it on. This will deliver a consistent experience and branding across all platforms, maintaining the best design and usability for each device encouraging customer loyalty due to their consistent customer experience.

4. It doesn’t matter how big or small the device is, your website will maintain its navigation and usability, allowing users to access all your information easily without a pixelated or ‘squashed’ look.

5. As an extension of pro number 3, if your website is mobile optimised, Google will rank you higher than those sites that are not. Google take  mobile sites into consideration when displaying results (particularly when searched via a mobile device).

The words of the Three Musketeers – “All for one and one for all” seems pretty appropriate here. One web layout for all devices….Ever.

The Cons

Responsive is obviously great. Really great. But with everything of course, there are always a few potential tripping points that are worth considering. Here are a few hurdles when it comes to responsive design:

1. Whilst some websites (with WordPress templates etc) being fairly easy to put together, a good responsive website design is anything but straightforward. It takes a long process to optimise a website just for one mobile – let alone all mobile and tablet devices.

2. Responsive website testing is incredibly thorough. Its very nature is to be suitable for all devices, desktops and similar – so testing must encompass all of these to ensure maximum and accurate usability.

3. Designing a responsive website requires a specific skill-set and specific talented individuals. (Fear not, you need look no further to cross this ‘con’ off your list as we are responsive web design specialists!)

4. Initially, there is a cost in setting up your responsive web design, and ensuring that it is testing and developed accurately and thoroughly to ensure the optimal outcome and optimal user experience for your end users.

5. Whilst responsive web design is fantastic, it is not the only thing that will please your customer. Potentially your website may need a redesign in other areas to ensure maximum user experience, that it is SEO ready, and that your content is easy to locate and is correct/in date/informative.

“Is it the right step for my business?”

Perhaps the ‘cons’ are still worth some time considering, however they really don’t rival the positives that would come from investing in responsive design for your business website.

Whether we like it or not, we live in a 24/7 tech world. We want everything now, now, now. Our expectations for websites, loading times, usability and content are high, and by using responsive web design the expectations would be met – in some cases even exceeded.  With that in mind, if given the choice to impress your visitors and convert them into paying customers – will you be making the switch?

The real question shouldn’t be ‘if’, but more a case of ‘when’.

Portfolio Review: Moneybarn Social Media Design Package.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

Moneybarn are a responsible lender when it comes to finance and have a reputation for their outstanding customer service. But when it came to their social media pages, the company needed something with a little more bang for their buck. They came to Codastar who quickly stepped in, and now the company have pages with some real pzazz!

Facebook isn’t a ‘maybe’ for business success; its a ‘must’.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

With more than billion active users every single month Facebook really is the site to be seen on. Despite the social scene becoming more and more important when it comes to B2C companies engaging with customers; its often neglected and as a more and more valuable tool for creating a real revenue and a hive of social sales activity. Read more »

Portfolio Review: Simplexity Social Media Package

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

Simplexity had big plans for their social media strategy, so they needed their social media sites to resemble the paradise they so readily jet their customers off to. Fortunately for them, Codastar were on hand with their suitcase packed with their passport and primping skills! Read more »

Portfolio Review: British Teddies Social Media Package.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

The British Teddy Bear Company are as much an institution in Britain as the Queen and a good cup of tea. So naturally, Codastar wanted to give them the royal treatment with Social Media pages to reflect their natural

First up was the Twitter page for a very special (and very mischievous!) bear indeed – Student Bear. The Student Bear is part of an on-going competition for universities and students alike. The idea of the competition is for photos of the bears to be submitted via twitter using the ‘@’ or the hashtag in creative and clever poses and places.

With this in mind, the twitter background includes ‘Polaroid’ style photos of the bears in action, with a collage of bears in the background of the bio.

The Facebook page was far more diverse, with an interest in showcasing a selection of bears, as well as the student one.

Three tabs were developed; one for Florence Nightingale Bear, one for Armed Forces Bear, one for the Police Bear, and one for Student Bear.

Each tab was designed and created especially with each bear in mind, showcasing pictures of their celebrity friends, links back to the website to buy the bear of choice, as well as key areas detailing the charities and work that the company so selflessly carries out with every bear purchased.

Along with contact details, bear photos, corporate logos, calls to action and the back story of each bear, rest assured bear fans will be keen to explore the new page, and with a new ‘like’ are likely to make a fluffy new friend along the way.

 

Great British Bear Company Social Media Package

Portfolio Review: Bright Talent Recruitment.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

Bright Talent Recruitment are a company that revolves around communication – so with this in mind, they wanted to branch out with social networks to allow clients and candidates  alike to consult with them in a slightly more informal setting.  With this in mind, Codastar put together custom designs and bespoke Facebook tabs for them to hit the ground running within the social-sphere.

The Twitter page features the recruitment cartoon consultants, and the corporate colours across the bio and background alike. The page is simple and effective, with further information on how to find them on alternate websites/social networks too.

Their Google+ page follows suit to Twitter, with an eye-catching logo dominating the page, with clear contact details for further information beneath.

With Recruitment companies performing a lot of online networking within Linkedin, it was imperative that the services section fit the bill. The scrolling clickable images allow for cross platform engagement on Twitter and Facebook. The newly designed services page offer everything a cutting edge agency, included the option to submit CVs (whilst keeping ‘anonymous’ to suspecting employers on site), as well as client services such as executive search and job role submissions.

Finally, the Facebook page is the piece de résistance, with a cover banner design and a custom design ‘about’ tab.

The cover banner includes a call-to-action encouraging users to ‘like’ to find out more about the brand, with the continued branding featured in the imagery. The ‘About Tab’ features all the information that prospective clients and candidates alike would need to engage with the company. With sliding/changing photos, key bullet points exampling what it is that sets them ahead of their competition, and key services linked from featured buttons, the page is concise and clear in what they wish to achieve.

bright talent recruitment social media package

Portfolio Review: Charlbury Dental Social Media Package

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

As a business that tends to turn the widest of smiles sour, Charlbury Dental have chosen a much friendlier approach when it comes to marketing their business – by embracing social media. Codastar have designed bespoke pages and apps for the team, ensuring a more personable approach to engaging with their patients.

Already having a few Google place reviews under their belt, Charlbury Dental now have an eye-catching and eye opening page, filled with the friendly faces of the team, alongside contact details and maps to ensure finding their surgery as easy as can be.

The surgery have also invested in a company page on Linkedin. With the continued branding, the Services page also boasts scrolling imagery linked to other social networks and their website, as well as a range of offerings, including a section for ‘nervous patients’ – one that would be very appreciated with some of the Codastar team!

Finally, the Facebook page has had its own makeover, with the continued branding and imagery, with their four bespoke tabs to create a ‘mini website’ feel for their users.

The tabs include an ‘About Us’ page; detailing clear calls-to-action (in the form of contact details and external website links) throughout, as well as a bit about their history. As well as the map detailed on the page, they have also invested in a separate tab deisgned specifically to feature and integrate Google Maps, with various options (street view, etc) to suit their user’s needs.

The third tab is dedicated to their newsletter, with a clear actionable function button to keep up to date with all their latest news offerings. Again, contact details and links to their website are kept clearly throughout.

The final tab is a custom designed contact form, allowing users to contact the surgery directly, without the need of a call or venturing away from Facebook. By integrating such a tool on site, they have limited the ‘drop out’ from asking those to register on their main website, and by allowing a forum for personable discussion, the team have eliminated the fall-out from the daunting task of finding (and visiting) a dentist!

With their new found, new look social sites, the team are set up to share many, many smiles from here on in!

Charlbury Dental Social Media Package

 

Portfolio Review: MAS Motoring Social Media Package.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

The MAS Motoring Project was an exciting one for Codastar, as it enabled us to create a strong cross-platform brand image for the company – unifying their now strong social status.

MAS Motoring were fairly new to the Social-sphere, so wanted to make a lasting impact on their new and existing friends and fans. As well creating the cover image and integrated the profile image to fit, Codastar put together an “About Us” App with everything they need for social success. The new App features calls-to-action throughout in various styles; from recommend a friend, contact forms, and multiple social media icons.

The new Linkedin business page now includes a branded banner, as well as an interactive image encouraging users to visit/link through to their Facebook page. The services page is now populated with key offers from the company, ensuring that users are left in no doubt in where their specialities lie.

With the recent changes at Google+ HQ, the new page is very much an image-focused one. With a prominent logo and eye-catching cover, the page also features external links to other social sites, as well as a summary of their business and why they deserve your ‘follow’.

Finally, Twitter continues the cool and collected business theme and palates, with strong images and logos ready to kick start their twitter antics.

If you are interested in a Social Media makeover, or have any questions about our services, why not contact us directly and say hello? We won’t bite, promise!

mas-blog

 

Portfolio Review: Gold Key Nutrition Social Media Design.

Posted by & filed under Codastar News.

Gold Key Nutrition wanted to give their social media sites a healthy new glow (so to speak!) and Codastar delivered exactly that.

Gold Key Nutrition are fairly new to Twitter and want to start up with a ‘bang’. The new background is bold and bright with Facebook and contact details appearance along the top. The new ‘cover’ image and profile photo feature the logo and a variety of imagery depicting the healthy lifestyle they promote, along with a few of their products. Read more »