Responsive vs. Adaptive Web Design

Responsive vs. Adaptive Web Design – Who’s the Boss?

Marketing today is much more than simply having a website.  As you have undoubtedly realized in your quest for more customers and a growing business, you have to play the game.  Today one of the biggest debates is about Responsive vs. Adaptive Web Design.  So Who’s the Boss?  Which is Better?  This blog will explain some of the differences and which one will achieve the effect you are hoping for.

Responsive Web Design (RWD)

Let’s start at the beginning.  All Websites are not created equal.  Ever tried to view a website on a device other than a PC and it just did not seem right?  The page size is all wrong and many functions do not work.  Well that is the idea behind having a responsive or adaptive web design.  Responsive web design means that you have a site that responds to the device that is on.  So, if your consumer is viewing your website on a mobile phone, which a huge number of consumers do, they will see your site with all of its functions formatted to the phone.  It is based on the idea of flexible images and fluid type that can respond to any device.  With all that being said, what the heck is adaptive web design?

Adaptive Web Design (AWD)

Yes, it can be confusing.  After all what we just described as responsive web design sounds like it truly adapts to the device.  We can’t get into the argument about the confusing titles, but we can, hopefully, explain the difference.  Adaptive web design is built on the principle that the site adapts to predetermined screen sizes.  The server of the device is detected and the version of the site that is most compatible for the detected device is delivered.

So, at the end of the day which is better?  Well, that depends on you and your business.  Market to your Market can help you to decide which design is better for your website.