Need Responsive Website? Here Are 12 Tools That Can Help

With the development of the Smartphone, most businesses have to look for innovative ways to ensure that their website is responsive with this platform. So many people use their mobile devices to connect to the web and browse, and they want to be able to do it easily. The good news is that there is a plethora of information out there that will help you to achieve the results that you are looking for.

Here are a few innovative tools that will help you to get everything just right so that it can accommodate mobile devices and give the mobile users the user-friendly interface they are looking for.

#1 Mobifreaks

If you want to incorporate tables into your site, and ensure that they are mobile-friendly, then you might consider using Mobifreaks. When using this tool, you are able to not only make it easier to view your tables on a mobile device, but it also helps to make them more search-engine friendly, which is a win-win situation for you and your site!

#2 Interface Sketch

Remember when you used to be able to take out a pen and paper and sketch your layout? Using Interface Sketch gives you that same look and feel, with an easier approach. It is simple to use, and best of all it is free. You can find a variety of different layouts for various devices, making it comprehensive.

#3 Wirefly

If your main focus on your page is content, then Wirefly is a great solution to your needs. It is simple and easy to understand, and it also lets you structure your website around your content. It helps you to set up wireframes and will even give you an idea of how your site will look when it is finished. This tool is great for people that have a background in HTML.

#4 Multi-Device Layout Patterns

When it comes to the layout of your website, you need to make sure that you have an ideal layout so that [p2p type=”slug” value=”beginner-guide-mobile-responsive-design”]mobile[/p2p] users don’t get frustrated. Luke Wroblewski has put together a number of designs that work well on mobile devices, and he lists them on his website. You will need to choose your layout based on how you want your content and images presented.

#5 FitText

When designing your website, the typography is a very important aspect to consider. FitText can be used to actually scale the size of your fonts according to the device that is being used. Basically, it works a lot like Adaptive Images, but it is for the text on your site. It is a jQuery plug-in, and it very easy to use.

#6 FitVids

Much like FitText, you can also use FitVids to help you to adapt your videos to be seen better on all types of devices. It uses Javascript and CSS to ensure that the videos are fluid and comprehensive. After all, you don’t want to limit the ability to watch videos to only those people that use a desktop or laptop computer. People with mobile devices love videos too!

#7 Responsinator

Do you ever wish that you could see how your website looks on a variety of different mobile devices? With Responsinator, you can actually go through and get an idea as to how it will load. You simply put in your web URL and take a look at the results based on various mobile devices. It is easy to use, and it will help you to see if any changes need to be made for it to be more responsive across the board.

#8 Responsive Design Testing (by Matt Kersley)

Finally, take a look at [p2p type=”slug” value=”what-you-need-to-know-about-responsive-web-design”]Responsive[/p2p] Design Testing, by Matt Kersley. He put together a design testing tool that is easy to use. It can also be used for any type of website, making it very flexible. You just install it directly to your server, and are then able to test certain aspects of your site and look at various comparisons and tips for changes that will benefit your site. It is an ideal approach to design testing.

#9 Adaptive Images

Adding images to your site is important, but without the right tools it can be more of a burden than a help. With Adaptive Images, the images that you have on your site will actually be rescaled based on screen size of the device that the viewer is using. This is really great news for those that want completely responsive sites that are ideal for everyone.

#10 Gridset

If you are accustomed to using the latest content management sites, like WordPress and Joomla, then Gridset may be a great option for you. It works together with these programs to help with your prototyping and wireframing, and it also works with photo editing software and other graphics applications.

#11 Blueberry

Image sliders are really popular for desktop sites, but most of the ones that are commonly used don’t mesh so well on the mobile platform. With Blueberry, you can design an image slider that will work great on mobile devices and desktops. That means that you can get the look that you want from your site, without compromising your responsiveness.

#12 Adobe Edge Reflow

For those that prefer a brand name, Adobe Edge Reflow is a new tool that has just been released. It allows you to edit graphics and generate layouts for your site with ease. You can even use this tool for complex CSS layouts, making it easier and less time consuming.

Do you know of any other tools that can be helpful? If so, put them into action. The more that you work toward a mobile-friendly site, the better competitive advantage your business will have. Chances are, a great percentage of your clientele use their Smartphone or other mobile device to view your website, and if you are not making it easy and convenient for them, you could be leaving money on the table. It is easy for them to just move on to your competition if they have a hard time navigating and viewing your site. Use these tools, among others, to ensure that your site is responsive on all platforms- not just the traditional desktop site.