The rapid adoption of tablets and smartphones is changing the way consumers interact with websites, gather information, and make purchase decisions. Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our daily activities, and a growing percentage of website traffic is coming from smartphone, tablet and netbook users. iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry devices now account for roughly 25% of all website traffic. Over the last few years we have seen “hockey stick” growth in mobile traffic, and some projections have mobile internet usage overtaking desktop usage in as quickly as the next couple years. Given the proliferaton of these mobile devices, many businesses are facing a multiscreen challenge of offering a website that works properly across many devices, platforms and browsers. It is important that your website provides a positive user experience to every visitor, no matter how small or large the display screen.

One tactic to consider is responsive web design, which uses media queries, flexible images, and fluid grids to serve a website that fits correctly on any device screen. A single website is designed that renders correctly no matter what device is being used – one website for every screen size. Many experts in the industry are predicting a big year for responsive web design.

Bottom line: understand the mobile device trends/projections, and think beyond the desktop and laptop. Anticipate and respond to the needs of your users with an effective website design. The end goal is to provide a quality user experience for every visitor on every screen.