Responsive Web Frameworks are no longer simply an option- they’re a necessity! Almost everyone you see these days uses a mobile device – from your 10-year-old niece to your 60-year-old aunt! Be it a tablet or a phone more and more people are accessing websites from mobile devices and more often than not they pay attention to how user-friendly the website is to use from their phones.
Responsive websites have 3 main benefits.
1. They create a better user experience, making it easier for people to navigate through your site and find the most relevant and important information.
2. They improve your Search Engine ranking. Google recently announced that from the 21st April 2015, it will be penalizing websites which are not responsive as these do not give users a positive experience. This is all part of Google’s attempts to rank searches based on ease of use and efficiency.
3. They look better. Responsive websites are easier on the eyes, they make more sense and have a sleek, attractive look.
Clearly responsive websites are important. That’s why we’ve created this list of responsive web frameworks which we think are the best for the job.
Incidentally, if you’re a web designer, you may want to have a look at a couple of things. We’ve prepared a full blown list of tasks for creating a website – we call it the website checklist. If you’d like to monitor this in a tool, in real-time, together with the rest of your web design project stuff, you may want to have a look at Wrike project management tool. It’s only for people who create awesome websites 🙂
Table of Contents
1. Bootstrap
Predictably, Bootstrap is first on the list, mainly it’s because it’s one of the best known responsive web frameworks out there. Claiming to be “by nerds for nerds” Bootstrap offers a 12-column responsive grid, uses responsive CSS, a web-based Customizer and a variety of other features. What’s more is there’s plenty of support out there, so go ahead and check it out!
2. Foundation
Another responsive web framework giant, Foundation is well known for its support – offering a forum full of information to guide you. Boasting that Foundation 6 is their fastest build yet including things such as fastclick.js which ensures that users get a snappy response time which will definitely keep them happy! They also offer a large, small, and medium grid – making it easier for web designers to get their project going. If you’re still new to building responsive websites then Foundation might be just what you need. Check out the website!
3. Golden Grid System
Working with 18 even columns this system allows you split the page. The two outer columns serve as the margin and the rest are columns where content may be placed. What’s great about this framework though is that the columns can be combined or folded. Fold them in half for tablets (that’s 8 columns), and in quarters for mobile phones (so that’s 4 columns). Simple right? This allows the Golden Grid System to easily cover any screen size. Check out the website for more – the information is very direct and to the point making it easy to decide if this is right for you.
4. Mueller Grid System
If you want full control then this one’s for you. Mueller Grid System gives you full control over column width, gutter width, baseline width, and media queries. If you’re wondering why Mueller Grid System is so similar (even in name) to the Golden Grid System, then it’s because it was in actual fact inspired by this. To find out more about what this Grid System has to offer check out the website – however, do keep in mind that you can’t simply use Mueller Grid System straight ‘out of the box’ and it might require some in-depth knowledge.
5. Gridiculous
Here’s a responsive web framework you can play around with. It starts at 1200px and works its way down to 320px, but it’s also got stops along the way. The website gives you an explanation of how to implement the grid – showing the different options and layouts you could use.
6. Responsive Grid System
Built by Graham Miller this framework allows for unlimited columns to be created and easily plugs in to existing HTML and CSS. It also allows you to fit your grid to your content rather than trying to fit your content to your grid! It’s simple and comes with easy to follow instructions and also a code generator where you simply put in the necessary details and it creates the code. Try it out!
7. Base
If you want to create your own custom theme and design then Base Web React UI Framework is great for you. It provides the core essentials and gives you the space and flexibility to do what you want. What’s more is that it’s perfected to work on both modern and older browsers, meaning you won’t have any problems.
8. HTML KickStart
HTML KickStart is straight to the point – it simply and clearly outlines everything you need, with examples of what different items will look like, giving you a clear visual and allowing you to quickly decide if it’s what you want. This no fluff approach might be exactly what you need to instantly get started on your project.
Of course, there are many other responsive web frameworks you can use and you’ll find a selection of them in our 101 tools for web designers and developers. Let us know if there are any more we should add!
