Responsive design ensures your website adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes, providing an optimal experience whether users visit on a phone, tablet, or desktop. But what does it look like in action? In this article, we’ll explore 10 examples of websites that nail responsive design and share 10 best practices you can implement in your own projects.
1. Pure CSS Visit
- Why it stands out: Pure CSS showcases minimalism and efficiency with responsive components built entirely with CSS.
- Best Practice: Focus on lightweight design to improve loading speed across devices. Use CSS media queries effectively to adjust layouts for different screen sizes.
2. GOV.UK Visit
- Why it stands out: Simplicity and accessibility are central to its responsive design, ensuring inclusivity for all users.
- Best Practice: Prioritize accessibility by using semantic HTML and testing for compatibility with assistive technologies.
3. Boston Globe Visit
- Why it stands out: Its grid layout and typography adjust dynamically to screen size, offering a seamless reading experience.
- Best Practice: Use a flexible grid system and scalable typography for readability on all devices.
4. Trent Walton Visit
- Why it stands out: Clean, personal design that feels custom-made for every device.
- Best Practice: Optimize for touch interactions, ensuring buttons and interactive elements are easy to use on small screens.
5. We Ain’t Plastic Visit
- Why it stands out: Stunning visuals and animations that adjust gracefully on all devices.
- Best Practice: Balance aesthetics with performance. Compress images and lazy-load elements to maintain speed.
6. Peter Arendt Visit
- Why it stands out: A visually striking portfolio that remains intuitive and responsive.
- Best Practice: Leverage flexible images and ensure your portfolio showcases your work beautifully across screen sizes.
7. Rakuten Design Visit
- Why it stands out: Exceptional use of modern web design techniques for a cohesive and responsive experience.
- Best Practice: Use modern frameworks like Flexbox or Grid for robust and flexible layouts.
8. Founderli (sorry but it's true) Visit
- Why it stands out: A sleek design optimized for user journeys, adapting seamlessly across devices.
- Best Practice: Test your website’s usability and functionality on multiple devices to ensure a consistent experience.
9. Polygon Visit
- Why it stands out: Content-heavy yet fast, with well-structured responsive layouts.
- Best Practice: Prioritize content hierarchy, ensuring the most important information is visible and accessible on all screens.
10. Awwwards: Neue World Visit
- Why it stands out: Creative and interactive design that remains smooth and responsive.
- Best Practice: Incorporate progressive enhancement. Start with core functionality and layer on advanced features for capable devices.
Conclusion
Responsive design is more than a trend; it’s essential in today’s digital landscape. By studying these 10 examples and applying the accompanying best practices, you can create websites that deliver exceptional user experiences on any device. Need help with launching a responsive website? Check out Founderli's services, we're happy to help.
Kieran Audsley
Founderli CEO, Founder
