BBC News switches off desktop site and directs users to responsive site

BBC News switches off desktop site, directing traffic to new site

Two weeks ago, we reported on the need for businesses to make their websites responsive. That is if, of course, if they want to keep ahead of the game when it comes to Google.

Responsive website design

The BBC News website has now been officially turned off, with all visitors being redirected to their all-new responsive site.

The new layout will adapt to the device it is being viewed on: PC, mobile or tablet.

Amidst some criticism from visitors about the sparser design of the new site, the BBC said that the change was necessary to reflect the different ways in which people are consuming digital media.

Robin Pembrooke, head of product for the BBC's News and Weather sites, said;

"We now see 65% of our visitors to the website are on mobile or tablet devices,"

"The old site that we had, which is now four-plus years old, was really designed with PCs in mind. Moving to a fully responsive solution which works across mobile, tablets and desktops is the way to go. It means that we can have one solution that is a web solution for all of our users."

"We can now start to introduce new features such as personalisation with the same size of development team.”

BBC News app

The new website follows the BBC News app that was launched earlier this year move to responsive follows the launch of the new app earlier this year

The BBC has been keen to make the changes over time, said BBC News website editor Steve Herrmann, after their previous relaunch issues;

"The last relaunch was very much a big bang, all in one go.

"At the time we didn't give people a way of previewing or getting a sense of what it was going to be like. With this, first of all, the new site itself is actually the mobile site that we've had for some time.

"We created a promotional banner to bring it to people's attention on desktop to say have a look - with the aim of inviting people to see what we were working on.

"For me that's a critical difference."

We can help your business make the most of its website, including how to ensure that your own site is responsive – call 01902 375304 or info@acecomputersupport.co.uk today for more information.