Nearly everyone owns some kind of mobile device today, whether tablet, smartphone or laptop. And the growing shift to mobile means those small screens will soon impact the success of your website in a very big way.

The worldwide shift to mobile

Today, more than 55.5 percent of U.S. consumers own a smartphone according to Nielsen. That’s a significant increase compared to July 2011 when only 41 percent of mobile subscribers owned smartphones. The trend is growing among all ethnic groups, with Asian Americans representing the highest use, followed by Hispanics, African Americans and Whites. And 58 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 now own a smartphone, compared to 36 percent just a year ago.

Tablet use is on the rise too. In fact, Digital Trends named 2012 the year of the tablet, with sales expected to exceed one million, topping notebooks. The magazine also reported that tablets “will reign supreme” in the evolving world of education as administrators opt overwhelmingly for tablets over PCs.

Why you need Responsive Web Design

So what does it all mean for you? That’s easy: more mobile traffic to your website. And all that mobile traffic means you’ll need a site that works equally well on every size and shape of screen— desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet — to meet the needs of staff, teachers, students, parents, and anyone looking for information on your website. The solution is Responsive Web Design (RWD).

What is Responsive Web Design?

In a nutshell, RWD lets you build one website that displays well on a majority of browsers and a majority of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. RWD detects the resolution of the device it’s being served on and scales the design and content to fit neatly within the browser on the screen. RWD provides an optimal viewing experience — easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning and scrolling — across a wide range of devices, from desktops to mobile phones.

What are the benefits of Responsive Web Design?

Savvy administrators and CTOs everywhere are racing to update their digital presence with RWD. That’s because RWD offers some significant benefits:

1. Save money.
   Build just one website that will work seamlessly on a wide range of screens. No need to create another website or app whenever a new device hits the market.
2. Save time and resources.
   Build and design your site just once. You won’t need to repeat the process to accommodate a new device.
3. Deliver a better user experience.
   A mobile friendly website can lead to increased traffic to your site, repeat visits and more community support for your district.
4. Enjoy peace of mind.
   With RWD, your website won’t keep you up at night. You’ll know your site is working optimally on a wide range of devices, so you can be confident in your Web presence. 

Schoolwires responsive design templates

Our responsive design templates provide:

• Access to your entire website on a wide range of mobile devices and browsers
• A consistent branding experience on desktop and mobile devices
• One template design offers five different views, so there’s no need to purchase multiple templates
• Quick and easy access to your most important information on mobile devices

		Ruby Custom Templates Our Ruby custom templates feature responsive web design and provide an exclusive look and feel. Our Ruby custom templates offer: Responsive web design Same color for each site Custom global icons Custom MyStart bar Custom footer Dedicated designer
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		Sapphire Custom Templates Our Sapphire custom templates feature responsive web design and allow each school to have its own unique color scheme while keeping branding consistent across your district. Our Sapphire templates offer: Responsive web design Exclusive look and feel Different colors for each site Custom global icons Custom MyStart bar Custom footer Dedicated designer
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