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How Often Should You Redesign Your Website?
Is your site due for a redesign? Learn how often to update your website, why it matters for branding, SEO, and conversions plus what it really costs
9 minutes
13 May
What Are the Top Responsive Web Design Principles?
August 11, 2021
7 minutes
Responsive web design principles are important. Building websites is about more than just aesthetics. You can build the nicest looking website, but all your efforts will be for nothing if the end result:
- Doesn’t run well on different devices
- Isn’t easy to use
- Doesn’t intuitively show its information
Functionality is a crucial part of an effective website. This is why website designers need to implement responsive web design.
What is responsive web design?
Responsive web design is a modern approach to designing website content in which a website needs to be able to seamlessly shift its content to accommodate a variety of factors. These factors include both the orientation and screen size of the user’s device.Responsive web design is a more effective alternative to adaptive web design, in which a device selects one of several predetermined layouts to try and meet the dimensions of an internet browsing device.
What are the principles of responsive web design?
Responsive web design is a multi-faceted approach to building content for a website. There isn’t a single step to building a responsive website (otherwise, this would be a short blog post).Instead there are several responsive web design principles that should be implemented in conjunction in order to construct a website that can function across all devices and orientations. We have listed them below for reference.
Breakpoints
Breakpoints make up the structure of a responsive website. They serve as the points that content will shift to based on the screen being used. Specifically, they are pixel values that trigger transformations in responsive websites when they are met. These design transformations ensure that text is easy to read and information is easy to access. For example, a desktop website might organise its content into three columns while the mobile version would organise that content into a single column.
Content Flow
When the screen size decreases, content is forced into taking up more vertical space. This can lead to content overlap if a website is not developed properly, making said content difficult to read. On responsive websites, all content underneath the text moves downwards to accommodate the text’s accumulation of vertical space.
Maximum and Minimum Values
Setting maximum and minimum values means establishing limits for how far responsive content can stretch across different screen sizes. This makes sense when you consider the difference in length between a mobile phone screen and other devices such as TV screens. What is easy to read on one screen can become difficult to read when stretched across the entire length of another.On its own, a piece of content set to a width of 100% will stretch across the screen. However, an additional max width of 1000px will make sure that the piece of content will not exceed that width. The end result is a piece of content that will stretch as far as it can until it hits that limit.
Nesting Objects
Nesting objects is a method of grouping multiple objects into a single container. This means that, when content is prompted to move due to a change in screen, these particular objects move relative to each other as opposed to on their own.This allows for a larger degree of control over content, as you can define what objects you want to scale and which ones you don’t. As a result, content is not going to overlap when dealing with less conventional screen sizes, resulting in a tidier and easier to understand website.
Relative Units
Because screen sizes vary so drastically, it can be difficult to scale content effectively with hard units such as pixels. Relative units, such as percentages scale content in direct relation to the dimensions of a screen as opposed to a set pixel value.For example, content that is 400px will stay 400px on other screens unless otherwise specified. However, setting a content’s width to 50% means that it will always take up 50% of the screen, regardless of the device it is being viewed on.
Vector Images instead of Bitmaps
Vector images are different forms of image files that contain lossless quality. While they aren’t as good at presenting detailed images the way that raster images such as bitmaps are, they are great for simpler shapes and responsive websites because they are infinitely scalable without a loss in quality.
Webfonts instead of System Fonts
System fonts might look good, but they are not universal to multiple devices. If a user does not already have a system font on their device, one of two things will happen. Either the website will download the system fonts, which will slow its loading time down, or the website will resort to a default font, which will potentially ruin the website’s aesthetic and make its content difficult to read.Webfonts aren’t perfect either. Because they come preloaded, having multiple different fonts can slow down page loading times. However, their usage is more likely to support the design of a responsive website than system fonts.
What are the advantages of responsive web design?
Why do modern web designers gravitate towards responsive web design? Not only does it improve the usability of a website, but it also has the capacity to boost a website’s SEO rankings when implemented correctly. Below are some of the reasons that we encourage responsive web design.
Avoiding Duplicate Content
One of the reasons that Google can penalise a website and lower its Google ranking is duplicate content. When designers decide to build a dedicated mobile version of their website, they run the risk of Google not being able to recognise which website version is more important, as the content remains largely the same.Even if you use a canonical tag to define your desktop site as more important, you’re still putting yourself at an unnecessary disadvantage because the likelihood is that your mobile website won’t even rank at all.With responsive web design, you’re using the exact same website, but you’re only shifting the position of the content, not duplicating it, so you’re avoiding all of these aforementioned problems.
Easier Website Development/Maintenance
When you employ responsive web design, you’re only dealing with a single website, which means that you only have to dedicate your time and resources to a single website as opposed to one for desktop and mobile.Not only does this make maintenance easier, because you don’t have to view two different sets of analytics and develop fixes for both a desktop website and its mobile counterpart, it also makes development easier because you only need to make a single batch of scalable content.
Faster Loading Times
Because responsive web design content is scalable, its load times change relatively to the size of their device, which makes them load faster than static content which does not change. This means that websites with responsive web design tend to have lower bounce rates because their content loads quickly.
Higher Google Rankings
Since April 2015, Google has taken a website’s responsiveness into consideration when determining its ranking in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). If your website can pass the mobile-friendly test, Google will rank it higher than websites that fail.
Improved Website Navigation
Because the content moves relative to the screen size with responsive web design, users don’t have to constantly pinch and zoom to find the specific content that they are looking for. Not only does this lower your bounce rate, but it also means you are more likely to have conversions because your website is user-friendly.Get in touch if you’d like to find out how we can use responsive web design to improve your web presence and boost your rankings.
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Who is Digital Treasury?
We're a Melbourne-based digital agency with extensive experience helping Australian businesses build stronger online presences. Our team specialises in web design, development, hosting and SEO services - everything you need to get found online and convert visitors into customers.
Over the years, we've worked across different platforms and industries, giving us the insight to know what actually works for businesses like yours. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing website, we focus on practical solutions that deliver real results for your business.
What types of businesses and industries do you work with?
We work with a wide range of Australian businesses, with particular expertise in healthcare, B2B services, SaaS companies, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), professional services and e-commerce brands. Our team offers tailored SEO and web solutions that are customised to fit your industry, target audience and business goals.
Where is Digital Treasury located and do you work with businesses Australia-wide?
We are based in Melbourne but we work with clients throughout Australia. Our work is mostly done remotely by video conferencing and emails, which makes collaboration easier regardless of where your business may be based.
What services does Digital Treasury offer?
Our key services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Design, Website Development, Website Maintenance and Website Hosting. They are provided either separately or combined, ensuring that we provide you with one reliable source to help establish your online presence for your business.
How do I get started with Digital Treasury?
Getting started is easy. Just contact us for an initial conversation about what you want, your budget and timeframe. We will talk to you about what you need, give advice about the best way forward and provide you with a detailed, upfront proposal.
What makes Digital Treasury different from other agencies?
We integrate our technical skills with honest communication and a strong emphasis on results that will benefit your company. Being a small team allows us to give you personal attention, upfront costs and all the support we would give to our own project.
Do you work with small businesses and startups?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are small businesses and startups looking to establish or improve their online presence. We will make suggestions based on your particular situation and budget needs, providing useful services at affordable prices.
How do you communicate with clients and report on progress?
We are convinced that clear communication should be maintained consistently during any of our projects. In accordance with the chosen service, you will be updated about your project through emails, meetings and detailed reports. We maintain constant contact with you, answering your queries along the way.
How does Digital Treasury structure its pricing?
We keep our pricing straightforward by providing a complete project quote rather than breaking it down into confusing line items. This approach gives you a clear understanding of exactly what you'll pay for the entire scope of work.
Every project is different, so costs depend on your specific requirements and the complexity involved. We'll assess your needs and provide transparent pricing that reflects the full value of what we'll deliver for your business.
Am I locked into a long-term contract?
We believe in earning your trust through quality work rather than tying you down with restrictive contracts. For specific projects like website builds, we'll provide you with a clear upfront quote so you know exactly what to expect.
Our ongoing services like website hosting, maintenance and search engine optimisation work a bit differently - we discuss these on a flexible arrangement basis that suits your business needs and budget.
Can you provide case studies or examples of previous work?
Yes, we can provide case studies and examples of our previous work. Potential clients frequently request these to see concrete evidence of our past successes. They want to understand how we’ve helped similar businesses achieve their goals through SEO and website development. Our case studies typically highlight our clients’ challenges, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results we achieved, such as increased traffic and higher conversion rates. This builds trust and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promises.
What types of SEO services do you offer?
We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services designed to boost your online visibility. Our core services include technical SEO fixes, on-page and content optimisation, local SEO for Melbourne businesses, thorough keyword research, detailed SEO audits, strategic link building, and ongoing performance tracking.
Can you guarantee first-page or number-one rankings?
No reputable SEO agency can guarantee specific rankings because search engines like Google use complex algorithms that change frequently. These changes are completely outside anyone's control. What we can promise is our commitment to using proven, white-hat strategies that give your website the best possible chance of ranking well.
Rather than making unrealistic promises, we focus on sustainable SEO practices that build long-term visibility and drive genuine business results. Our approach is about maximising your opportunities for success, not making guarantees that simply can't be kept.
Do you offer local SEO for businesses targeting specific areas?
Yes. Local SEO ensures that your business is found in location-specific search results and map results, making it perfect if you offer your products or services within specific suburbs or locations. We ensure that we optimise your Google Business Profile and your website content for local search.
Do you help with content optimisation?
Yes. Quality and relevant content plays a very important role in effective SEO optimisation. We can optimise your current webpages as well as provide you with some suggestions for creating content based on your keywords.
How much does SEO cost?
Pricing for SEO is determined based on your specific business goals, how competitive your industry is and the amount of work needed to achieve results. We will customise pricing plans depending on budgets while giving you a definite quote right from the start.
How do you decide which keywords to target?
We do extensive keyword research to know how your prospective clients search for information on the internet. After analysis of various parameters like search intent, relevancy, competition and commercial value, we shortlist keywords that resonate well with your products and services.
Do I need to change my website's content for SEO?
Yes, quite often. We recommend refreshing existing content frequently or creating new pieces that better match what your potential customers are actually searching for online. Of course, changes should be carefully implemented with regard to your company’s tone of voice.
What is the contract length for your SEO service?
We ensure that our SEO agreement remains flexible as opposed to being committed to long-term contracts. Even though SEO is most effective when conducted on a continuous basis, we do not mind discussing agreements that work for your benefit.
Is it necessary to hire an SEO agency or can I do SEO myself?
You can surely do basic SEO on your own and we are happy to point you in the right direction. However, SEO is very time-consuming and keeps changing frequently. Hiring an experienced SEO agency will ensure that you get more out of it without having to think about it anymore.
How does backlink building contribute to SEO success?
Backlinks are simply links to your website from another website. Search engines consider backlinks as an indication of credibility and authority. Our approach is to build links to your site through ethical and sustainable methods, building up the reputation of your website in the process.
What does your website design process look like?
We start by understanding your business goals and target audience to ensure your website truly connects with your customers. From there, we develop a web design strategy and create initial designs that we refine based on your feedback. Once you approve the designs, we go ahead to the development phase.
When should I consider redesigning my website?
A redesign is worth considering if your site looks outdated, performs poorly on mobile, loads slowly, is difficult to update or no longer reflects your brand. A modern, well-built website can improve user experience, credibility and your ability to attract customers.
Which CMS platforms do you build websites on?
We specialise in Webflow and WordPress, selecting the most suitable platform for you. WordPress allows for versatility, whereas Webflow gives you a sleek design with easy maintenance. We will suggest the most appropriate choice for you.
Do you provide SEO with your website builds?
Yes. All our websites are developed using SEO guidelines like a clean layout, quick loading speed, mobile optimisation and solid on-page foundation. In addition to that, we have professional SEO service packages that help businesses increase their online presence.
Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?
Yes. We offer website maintenance services to ensure that your website is safe, up-to-date and working properly. This encompasses software and plug-in upgrades, security protection, backups and basic changes to give you a hassle-free experience so that you can concentrate on your business.
Can I migrate my existing site to your hosting?
Yes, we can absolutely handle the complete website transfer to our managed hosting platform without any hassle on your end. Our team manages the entire migration process, ensuring your site moves across smoothly without downtime or disruption to your business.
Can we provide feedback throughout the process?
Absolutely and we actually encourage it. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to review our progress and share your thoughts at every stage. It ensures we're building exactly what you have in mind, rather than guessing what might work.
Will I own my website once it's built?
Yes. After completion of your project, the website will be yours. We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to issues of ownership and accessibility and would gladly take care of your requirements in this respect.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeline for your website project really depends on what you're looking to achieve. A straightforward business website typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, while more complex builds with custom functionality or extensive content requirements will naturally take longer.
We'll give you a clear timeline estimate once we understand your specific needs during our initial consultation. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan your launch accordingly.
What kind of support do you provide after my website launches?
We don't go away once we've launched. We provide continuing support, maintenance and hosting to ensure that your website runs at optimum capacity. If you have any queries about how to develop your website, we will be there for you.
