Responsive or adaptive ?
Responsive or adaptive?
While both are attempting to achieve the same goal, responsive design adopts different approaches to serve up content depending on what device you're on.
Responsive
Definition - Responsive Web Design uses client-side code and flexes to different screen widths using flexible grid design.
Responsive website design is usually the better option if analytics shows a high number of people are visiting a website via mobile device. In this case the mobile-first approach should be taken to provide the right experience for the audience. This will allow:
- More tailored content strategy around mobile
- Better design decisions which will avoid high resolution images
- Stronger navigation design for both desktop and mobile
Adaptive
Definition - Adaptive Web Design uses server-side detection in order to determine what is rendered to the user. This usually requires a third party tool to provide device detection.
Adaptive website design is great for instances where the project requires a rich desktop interaction, be it content and/or creative. Adaptive allows for:
- Specific interaction design according to the device you’re on
- More tailored desktop / mobile content
- A more personalised mobile / desktop experience
The decision about responsive or adaptive should be made at the start of the project within the team which includes UX / Design / Front-end / Back-end development. The decision upfront will also allow for better design.
