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As more and more websites are being accessed on devices other than a desktop or laptop system, this has emphasized the need for good, responsive internet design. The purpose of a responsive layout is to present a website as polished as possible on all different devices - and there are definitely some tricks to getting it right. The breakpoint or the place at which a layout actually changes and re-formats itself - is an important factor in responsive website design. Not having it correctly set can make the effort to create it futile. Breakpoint Importance Creating a website that can be properly viewed on different devices is a great way to ensure that all of those viewers - everyone who is using tablets and smart phones more than ever - see a website exactly the way it was designed to be seen and used. Setting the right breakpoint is essential in order for this to happen. This particular stopping place, as the name basically implies, is the spot at which a screen view will convert to a more responsive format when it is seen on smaller and smaller screens. Deciding as part of internet design to accept whatever might automatically happen when the viewing is reduced with no control over the breakpoint just about leaves a user with few options – and often a quick click-away to another more responsive-friendly website. For this reason, designers must look at each individual website including the content that is being presented, then decide from there where these format changing positions should be and how the different sections and page elements should behave within them. Standard Breakpoint Difficulties The biggest question when considering the concept of responsive design and breakpoints is where they should be placed. Although there have been designated some standard places to which many responsive designers adhere for mobile phones, tablets and regular desktop or laptop screens, doing so is often only partially correct especially when a website is viewed with a smart phone horizontally rather than vertically, as an example. All of a sudden, the breakpoint dictated for that smart phone is no longer relevant, leaving the website once again with an unorganized appearance on the device. The better answer is to create a version based on how the page content looks as it is shrunk smaller or even larger in some cases rather than create a design based upon screen resolutions and a breakpoint for every screen version that may be displayed. Adding Content-Dictated Breakpoints The best way to determine where to add breakpoints in a responsive design is to start by viewing a website at a very small 300px setting, noting where the layout obviously begins to need tweaking as it is slowly increased in size. As layouts get larger and images start to take up an entire screen or sidebar elements get stacked up and span across an entire page, the content should be directed to convert to more than one column. When the layout is large enough, add another breakpoint and increase the number of columns if necessary – basically handle content however it looks best. The emphasis here is that it is wiser to reformat based on a website's actual appearance as it is enlarged and not adhere to current, standard screen sizes that may - or may not - be standard tomorrow. By starting small and getting gradually larger and setting up breakpoints wherever required in the design and not be based upon screen size, it is possible to set up a responsive design that uses its breakpoints more efficiently. The end result can be a website that looks great on any type of standard or nonstandard screen. This allows a website to handle any kind of device now and in the future, so it always looks its best! Chris Hunter is an expert in Web Design and Search Engine Marketing. To find out more about Texas Web Design Frim, go to the main website at: http://www.webunlimited.com.
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