Responsive Design vs Mobile For This Site?

[KempRugeLawGroup]

They are going to do an entire website redesign for http://gaport.com/ and I think they should adhere to responsive design best practices. However, I'm just saying that because everything I have read says that's the "way of the future" if not the way of the present already. Any reason, they shouldn't do that and keep the desktop/mobile sites?

Thanks,

Ruben

[McTaggart]

Hi Ruben, This is pretty useful (and don't miss the comments at the bottom!): http://boagworld.com/mobile-web/separate-mobile-site-vs-responsive-design/ - I kind of agree with Nielsen - a separate mobile site can be more bespoke and therefore delivers better UX. That said, if you get the right responsive developer on the project (pm me if you want any recommendations - I have worked with one of Europe's best responsive developers and have heard great things about an agency down in Texas too), things can work out very well indeed.

(PS - this was interesting too: http://mobile.smashingmagazine.com/2012/08/22/separate-mobile-responsive-website-presidential-smackdown/)

[jesse-landry]

Check out this article by the awesome Kristina Kledzik from Distilled: http://www.distilled.net/blog/seo/responsive-web-design-distilledlive/

They hosted a meet-up not too long ago (in Seattle) going over this with Matt Fordham of WINTR and we all walked out of there convinced that there was no other option than responsive. Responsive or bust!

I personally think there are 1 in 100 exceptions to this rule that should have separate mobile sites (Motrin is a good example that Avinash brought up at Mozcon) but I don't think your carport friends need a separate mobile site.

Good luck to them!

[KempRugeLawGroup]

Thanks