It’s indisputable that any small business needs a website in 2017. After all, more than 3.5 billion people currently use the internet, and your website acts as a digital business card that’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you want to be visible where your potential clients are spending their time, having a website is a no-brainer.

One key to ensuring that your website helps build your business, however, is that it’s designed responsively.

What Is Responsive Design?

Responsive design allows websites adapt themselves to whatever size screen a user is viewing the site on. Whether visitors are viewing your responsive site on their desktop or a tiny smartphone, they will see a site that looks beautiful, functions well, and is easy to use. Responsive design isn’t just a nifty design strategy – it can actually make or break the success of your website.

MORE PEOPLE ARE USING MOBILE

More people than ever today are choosing to browse the Internet on their smartphone instead of a desktop computer. In fact, according to a report from comScore, 65 percent of all digital time is spent on mobile devices, while desktop computers are becoming “secondary.” If you want to make sure that people can access your website and take advantage of all of its functions once they’re there, it must be responsive. You could otherwise miss out on the huge number of potential clients who discover your practice via a mobile phone.

IT CAN HELP BOOST YOUR SEO

To decide which websites rank first in search results, Google has an algorithm that takes into account a huge slew of factors – including whether your website functions well on mobile devices. In fact, Google now prioritizes mobile-friendliness as one of its most important ranking factors. A responsive site can boost your chances to be discovered.

THEY SAVE TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY

A responsive website eliminates the need for a separate mobile website designed exclusively for mobile devices. Because responsive websites can meet the needs of any device with flexibility, only one version of your site needs to exist. This means that when you make an update to your website, you only need to make it once. This also makes your site lighter and quicker to load on mobile devices. Loading speed is one of the most important factors in keeping a visitor on the site once they choose to visit it.

A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE

79 percent of users will abandon your site and search for another if it doesn’t meet their standards. Responsive design ensures a high-quality experience for every user.  Designing with your potential clients in mind doesn’t just show them you’re on the cutting edge – it shows that you care about every step of the client experience.

If you’re thinking of creating a website for your practice this year, make sure it’s designed responsively. Keep your current clients happy with an online presence that is useful and functions well, and bring in new clients with a powerful website that meets their needs.