Technology is dynamic. It’s always in motion and keeps evolving into something new, something better, something smarter. Though a product of imagination itself, yet technology has always surpassed human imagination. Just look at the way websites have evolved. Back in the days if anyone had to visit a website, he ought to do it via computer. Now fast forward some years and see where we stand and how we access the web. We are living in a generation where SMARTPHONES RULE.

According to a recent survey held by IMAI (Internet & Mobile Association of India), with more and more people accessing the web through mobile phones, the Internet user base in our country is projected to touch 243 million by June 2014. However, web-enabled phones used to render the full website on their small screens. So, the user had to zoom in and out repeatedly to read portions of any particular web pages. Ask any mobile net surfer and you will know how frustrating this experience can be. Over and over again, they have to resize the site to read different sections, and have a tough time using small buttons that are intended for interaction with a mouse rather than a finger on a touch screen. Thus, it results in dropouts. Users visit the website and when they find that it is not ready for mobile yet, they quit.

To sort this out, a mobile version of the website came into existence. This supported as a great solution to the problem that the mobile net surfers were facing. Such mobile ready websites are optimized well and their light content makes the browsing experience a smooth one.

But to maintain two different versions of the same website can cost a hefty amount. Moreover mobile sites are less optimized for search engines. In the year 2010, a GREAT IDEA was conceived and executed; the idea of a Responsive Design. It was something that no one had ever thought of, and when it was created, it solved many problems associated with website surfing on different screen sizes.

So what exactly is this Responsive Design?

A responsive website changes its appearance and layout based on the size of the screen on which it is displayed. In other words, it adapts itself according to the environment. Simple and precise!

Responsive sites are designed to make the text/content on the given screen size larger and easier to read. The navigation buttons appearing on the web page on the given screen are easier to press as they are configured accordingly. Once the website is created, maintaining and updating it is quite simple. Contrary to the popular belief, responsive websites aren’t a costly investment. In the long run, they only save you money. From SEO perspective, responsive websites are extremely effective. So whether it is a computer, laptop, mobile, tablet or the latest addition in the family- phablet, a responsive design understands the medium and presents itself smartly. It has a life and understanding of its own. Once all the codes are in place, its intellectual side is ready to impress all.

In many cases, an existing website can be upgraded to a responsive one. If it has been more than 2 years since you refreshed your website, we suggest (considering the market and competition you are in) it’s time to start thinking about an overhaul.

In the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but the one who can best manage change.”

• Open Your Inbox.
• Open your FB account.
• Open ANY Website.

You have already come across a dozen graphics and images within a few minutes!
Did any image/graphic that appeared on any of these strike a chord with you?
Yes?

But why have so many images just didn’t grab your eyeballs or stayed with you?

The reasons for both the above options boil down to the use of intelligent copy, a good design and an effective placement of these graphics.

So now, do you realize that when you are deciding on hiring a web design agency for your business, how important it is to pay attention to the quality of work it does?

Pointers To Hire A Good Web Design Agency

1. Review Past Work: Never ever commit the blunder of not looking at the work portfolio of the design agency you are considering. Its own website is the biggest reflection of the quality it delivers to the clients! Scrutinize each category of its work minutely to understand whether you wish to work with the standards maintained by it.

2. Spectrum of Services: You may only need a website now, but in future you may also require SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Corporate Identity, Mobile Applications etc. Hence, go in for the agencies that offer a wide range of these allied services. This will save you from the hassles of finding another good agency in case any related work comes up in future.

3. References: Don’t shy away when it comes to asking for references or picking up the phone to talk to them. Also, verify the credibility of the given references. Mostly, agencies will give references they have good relations with; however, you may never know what’s in the store for you when you get into a conversation with them.

4. Understand the Team : Foundation of quality lies on the competence of any design agency’s human resources. Ask your agency about the team they will assign for your work. If possible, review the work done by that team on any projects delivered so far. Visit the Linked In profiles of the team members to understand their professional qualifications, past projects or companies they have worked with. This will give you a fair idea of the kind of work they do.

5. Overall Attitude : The attitude of the organization depends on the attitude of the top management! If the top management does not churn out positive vibes or does not look flexible in approach, stop right there before entering into any agreement. A small test for this could be probably discussing/criticizing any of their projects. The picture will be out in the open. The agency has to be open-minded as design is a subjective thing. What may look like a rose to you, may be a cactus for another! At the end of it, it is your work and should be executed according to your brief.

6. Ask Questions: Ask the agency representatives questions related to ROI, changing web scenario, emerging marketing techniques and method. Don’t sit in the dark! If they can’t justifiably explain all these technicalities pertaining to their own field of specialization, rethink about hiring them.

7. Visit the Agency’s Office: It is always a good check to personally visit the agency’s office (maybe planning a meeting in their premises or giving an excuse like that you were passing by and thought of dropping off!) Now you will be sure of the overall organization and infrastructure that the company actually has to offer! A look at the office may also give you an idea how organized the agency is.

8. Proximity: Try striking deals with agencies that are in close vicinity of your own office. You might require meeting them frequently to review or discuss the work. Proximity always keeps you on an advantageous position.

Hiring a good agency must entail finding the best agencies and then verifying all aspects of their work. It might look like a cumbersome process to begin with, but well begun is half done! Don’t invest in working with agencies or big names (only for the sake of it) that tend to show off or do more of talking and do less of work.  Invest your money in safe credible hands that can deliver you astonishing results. So go out and cross check!