Adaptive Web Design / Design Terms Adaptive Web Design Adaptive web design is a method of website development that uses multiple predefined layouts, each tailored to a specific screen size or device type. When a user visits the site, the system detects the device being used and loads the version of the site that best fits that screen. Instead of resizing content dynamically, adaptive websites serve one of several static layouts that have been designed for different ranges, such as mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers. This approach gives designers and developers greater control over how a website appears on different devices. For example, a layout built for mobile might simplify navigation and highlight call-to-action buttons, while the desktop version could include more detailed text and additional visual elements. Each layout is created separately and optimized for usability on its target device. Adaptive design can improve performance by delivering only the code and assets needed for each version, which can lead to faster load times and a more consistent experience. One of the trade-offs with adaptive web design is the additional effort required to design and maintain multiple layouts. As new devices and screen sizes emerge, teams must regularly test and update their templates to keep up. While adaptive design is not as flexible as responsive design, it remains a strong option for websites that serve very different audiences on different devices or require a high degree of control over layout and content. It is commonly used in applications where performance, accessibility and user intent differ significantly by platform.