The Impact of Responsive Design on User Experience

Responsive design has become essential as users increasingly access websites through devices of different screen sizes, including laptops and smartphones. This study investigates how responsive design affects user experience, particularly in the areas of readability, navigation, task performance, and emotional engagement. Sixty participants tested both responsive and fixed-layout websites on laptops and mobile devices. Quantitative results show that responsive websites improved task completion time by 32%, and users rated them significantly higher in usability and readability (4.4/5 compared to 3.4/5 for fixed layouts). Heatmap and click-path analyses demonstrated reduced cognitive load and fewer navigation errors on responsive interfaces. Qualitative interviews revealed that users perceived responsive designs as modern, smooth, and easy to use, whereas fixed layouts were described as tiring and frustrating. However, accessibility issues remain for users with visual impairments. Overall, the findings indicate that responsive design enhances both functional and emotional aspects of user experience. The study recommends combining responsive layout practices with accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusive interaction across devices.