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Yes. The world of the web is no longer exclusively accessible from the ergonomic office chairs of years past. With the price of technology decreasing and the ever-increasing sense of urgency around the world, the internet is more accessible than ever. Phones, tablets, portable gaming consoles, mp3 players, e-Readers… The list goes on and on, and those willing to embrace the myriad devices through which their products and brand are represented remain the leaders in the digital landscape. The following are some key features of a responsive website that will benefit your users:

Navigation

Navigating a non-responsive website is both incredibly frustrating and time consuming; two emotions that can leave a less than desirable impact on a customer and possibly cause them to never return again. Being that responsive websites are so ubiquitous, users don’t have the patience to deal with unresponsive sites. If they can’t find the information they want within a reasonable amount of time (usually a matter of seconds), they move on to another site that can satisfy their needs. This is especially true with financial institutions. Many users, myself included, rely on mobile technology for common banking tasks. Nothing would send me to another bank faster than if I pulled up their website and couldn’t accomplish what I needed as efficiently as I could at a desktop. There is simply too much competition out there not to offer such an essential service.

Interactivity

Static websites with a few scattered links and sparse information are becoming extinct, and there’s good reason; people like to interact with their device. Requiring a user to zoom in and use their thumb while praying they hit the correct link is cumbersome and aggravating. A responsive website uses devices to their advantage. Swiping and tapping large, easily accessible buttons with some smooth animation is not only eye catching, it’s gratifying to the user. A site that has interesting interactivity has more potential to grasp and hold a user’s interest. A quick visit to check out business hours may lead into a user sticking around to see some new promotions or an upcoming event. A mobile phone has endless forms of entertainment, and users are expecting to use this technology to interact with a majority of what they find on the net. Add some life to your site, and your users will respond positively.

Brand Recognition

A non-responsive website is the best way to show your customers that you either aren’t with the times or you just don’t care enough to keep up with your site. The internet has progressed to the point where it is now alarming to see a site that isn’t responsive, and users won’t forget it. Your website is your brand on the internet in the same way a billboard or TV commercial is your brand in the real world. Marketing teams spend countless hours perfecting advertisements and promotions, why would you treat your website any different in the digital age we are living in? Impressing a first time user with your website can leave a lasting impression that could create a customer for life, and it could just as easily detract them. Put the same faith and care into your digital brand as you do with your physical brand to show your customers you are a progressive, forward-thinking business with your customer’s experiences in the forefront of your mind.

A responsive website is absolutely necessary for any business that desires to have a presence on the web. New devices are being introduced every day that are able to give consumers access to your website. Many companies are already embracing the Apple Watch as a viable method of browsing their websites; an entire overview of what services and products a company can offer that can be viewed on a wrist anywhere at any time. Seem unnecessary? Maybe. However, it wasn’t long ago that viewing a website on a phone seemed unnecessary.