Responsive web design: Testing usability of mobile web applications

Abstract

Responsive web design (RWD) allows applications for adapting dynamically to diverse screen sizes, proportions, and orientations. RWD is an approach to the problem of designing for the great number of devices ranging from small smartphones to large desktop monitors. The goal of the paper was to test the usability of an application for management of a scientific conference developed using responsive design paradigms. Two versions of the responsive applications were implemented using different design patterns. Various techniques of usability were employed including tests with prospective users, experts’ inspections as well automated tools. The obtained results were thoroughly analysed and recommendations on the utilization of individual design patterns in developing mobile web applications were formulated.