Keep Your Design as Simple as Possible
The concept of KISS (keep it simple stupid) definitely applies to responsive design. Keeping the HTML code and overall layout as plain as possible is an essential part of a good responsive web design.
Using a simple core layout can enhance the responsive web design and allow it to be more effective. Webmasters can further enhance the responsiveness of their sites by keeping the most critical elements simple as well. That includes the navigation bars, menus and sitemaps.
Use Media Queries to Find the Right Display
The key to successful responsive design is adapting to every type of device. A good responsive website should look just as good on a smartphone or tablet as it does on a desktop or laptop computer.
Part of making that happen is the smart use of media queries. Use queries that focus on the width condition; that will allow you to load alternate style sheets depending on the type of device the reader is using.
Know Your Resolutions
Adapting the resolution to the device is a key part of responsive web design, so developers need to understand the various resolutions used by smartphone and tablet manufacturers.
The three minor breaks used on mobile devices are currently 320, 720 and 900, while the major breaks are 480, 768 and 1024. Designing your website with those breaks in mind can enhance the visitor experience and boost conversion rates.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is an essential part of responsive web design. The more flexible you can be while designing your website, the better your results can be. Use flexible grids and columns to organize content for maximum impact. Choosing relative instead of fixed width will allow the viewport size to adapt to the specific device.
Using fluid layout means you will be ready for whatever screen your viewers are using, no matter what the screen resolution or diagonal size. This is a critical point, since smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices are always changing, and you may not be able to predict which resolutions will be in vogue a year from now.
Designing your website to be responsive is essential in the modern world. Today your viewers are just as likely to view your site on an iPhone as they are on a desktop computer. Taking mobile devices into account right from the start is the best way enhance the viewer experience and improve your results.