Definition, Advantages And Disadvantages Of Adaptive Web Design

People tend to confuse adaptive design with responsive design because of the similarity between the terms but they refer to two completely different website designing concepts. A web design company in New York that offers responsive design may or may not offer adaptive design. On the technological scale, adaptive design is considered a step ahead of creating separate URLs for different devices and a step behind responsive design. But some designers prefer adaptive design over responsive design due to some benefits the former has to offer over the latter. Here is everything that you need to know about adaptive website design:

What Is Adaptive Design?

In some places, it’s also called dynamic serving. In this approach, the web designers develop different website templates for different devices for the same link. The URL shows different templates based on the device the visitor uses. The concept of adaptive design is similar to that of responsive in that they are both meant to ensure that the website is compatible with the device the visitor is using to access the link. However, an adaptive design is not the same as responsive web design in NYC. In the latter, the same website template is used on all devices while in the former different templates are used for different devices. Different versions for different operating systems can also be developed.

Pros Of Adaptive Design

Here are some reasons why many firms choose an adaptive design:

Good loading speed

Adaptive websites only display the features needed for the device and optimize the web content according to its specs. This means faster loading speeds on the given device. For example, if you are using a low-resolution mobile to access the website, it will only display low-resolution images so you don’t have to wait for high res images to load. Visitors can access different versions with the same link based on the device they use, so there is no delay because they aren’t being redirected to a different link.

Improved UI/UX

At present, websites receive traffic from multiple devices, especially smartphones, tablets and desktops. By designing an adaptive website you can customize the web page’s content and interface to match the device your visitors are using so that they can navigate the site easily. It’s also seen that people access the same website with different devices for different reasons, for example, they could use a desktop to book tickets and the smartphone to download e-tickets. You can adjust your layout accordingly. Templates for different OS like Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, etc. can also be made for better compatibility.

Wider reach

Many people all over the world use feature phones to access the net. Many people don’t have access to a 4G network. An adaptive design caters to older devices and network technologies as well, allowing visitors to navigate the website on their phones with ease. This allows multi-national companies to reach customers in developing and underdeveloped countries.

SEO-friendly

Dynamic serving meets Google’s mobile-friendly algorithm thanks to a separate template for mobile devices. Its quick loading speed and device-optimized UI/UX also score well on SERPs. Though Google states that it favors responsive design, some experts believe that dynamic serving sites rank higher.

Add on to existing URL

If the client has an existing site for desktop, they don’t have to build a new site unless they want to.

Cons Of Adaptive Design

Here are some reasons why many firms don’t opt for it:

Resource and budget heavy

In dynamic serving, multiple templates for multiple devices are developed which takes a lot of time and effort. Different HTML codes need to be developed for each template and the site needs to be tested on different devices to ensure that they work properly. A large team is needed to complete the project on time to the client’s satisfaction. You don’t need as many resources to develop a responsive web design in NYC.

Compatibility issues

If the client only develops sites for smartphones and desktop then there might be issues with compatibility with other devices like feature phones and tablets. This can be fixed later by developing templates for these devices.

Now that you understand what adaptive design is, don’t confuse it with responsive design or assume that every web design company in New York offers it. Ask the company about the service if you need it before signing any contract.

About This Author

Brittany Wolfe https://www.reddashmedia.us/ Hi, I am Brittany. I am a writer, illustrator Joined: October 21st, 2019