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Mobile Website

Discussion in 'HTML & Website Design' started by johneva, Feb 25, 2011.

  1. #1
    Hi

    Just been looking into how to server a mobile alternative website.

    We have a large complex website that works great in normal browsers on PC and even works ok I suppose on Blackberrys and Iphones. But when it comes to normal mobile phones then our site seriously fails.

    http://www.lease-hire.co.uk

    Just wondering what the best way of serving an alternative site for these users, so normal users get the normal site but if someone with a Nokia phone or something along them lines get servered a basic alternative.

    Cheers
    John
     
    johneva, Feb 25, 2011 IP
  2. Blue Star Ent.

    Blue Star Ent. Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Wordpress has a what they call a "toolkit" to suggest a mobile or desktop presentation.

    Here is the LINK


    Wordpress seems to be doing "just okay" in my opinion on keeping up
    with html5.

    There is also the "M" project you may be interested in : LINK


    Good luck to you.
     
    Blue Star Ent., Feb 25, 2011 IP
    deepspeed likes this.
  3. johneva

    johneva Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Its not a wordpress website though???
     
    johneva, Feb 25, 2011 IP
  4. Blue Star Ent.

    Blue Star Ent. Well-Known Member

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    #4

    Yes, It is based on a Wordpress site. If you are using a database ( I assumed you were, since
    you said it was a large site ) I am 99 percent sure that there is a conversion tool. If
    you can find a capable javascript progammer, you may be able to keep your site and
    not switch to Wordpress, by sending people to specially created mobile areas of
    your site with a User Agent "sniffer".


    What is most important is knowing your visitors. If your web log says you have a lot
    of visitors on mobile devices, a change is warranted.
     
    Blue Star Ent., Feb 25, 2011 IP
  5. johneva

    johneva Well-Known Member

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    #5
    What???

    Why are you recomending me to use wordpress, have you visited our website?
     
    johneva, Feb 25, 2011 IP
  6. johneva

    johneva Well-Known Member

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    #6
    johneva, Feb 25, 2011 IP
  7. AtSeaDesign

    AtSeaDesign Active Member

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    #7
    NO, NO, NO. Do NOT use ANY detect scripts as they are outdated (for use) and can present wrong information. And for the love of God do NOT use WordPress for mobile. ugh. These WordPress is God people just have no clue.

    What I've done in the past has worked for me but there may be someone who has more experience with this.

    First thing is buy a mobile domain m.sitename.com

    Second, don't put your entire site in mobile format. Keep it simple and clean. No scripts at all and minimal, if any images. I generally use a 3 or 4 style navigation and a prev and next at the top and bottom of the page.

    Third, keep it simple. Maybe have an info page with your service and product info, contact info and maybe a link for directions.

    That way your users get an idea of what you offer and you can point them to your real site when they can get to a desktop or laptop.
     
    AtSeaDesign, Feb 25, 2011 IP
  8. Blue Star Ent.

    Blue Star Ent. Well-Known Member

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    #8


    As if I was a Wordpress person...:confused: I know you do not have time, but my profile is mostly about Joomla, not Wordpress. It pays to be open to other choices. Some very popular ( and busy ) gadget sites are created with Wordpress.




    The OP already has a site up and running. They should use a different folder or subdomain, not buy a second domain.



    This was good advice. :)


    For the OP :


    Take into account that mobile devices just got through outselling laptops and desktops ( last quarter ), so the pressure is building to create mobile sites. Your niche is on fleet car leasing. I have not done any study on your niche, but I would say again, check your web log to see what user agents are accessing your
    site. If it looks like mobile devices, go with the flow and help them out. Where are people when they are accessing your site ? If they are at home or at work, they are probably viewing your site on a laptop or PC/Mac/Linux. If not, perhaps iPhone, Blackberry, or with Android. Those last two are both using the Webkit browser ( later versions have flash ), while Safari is on the iPhone ( no flash ).




    I looked at your example: detectmobilebrowsers.mobi. I can not personally recommend them, but I liked their "clients" section. Yours is a commercial site, they charge more. :(
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2011
    Blue Star Ent., Feb 25, 2011 IP
  9. AtSeaDesign

    AtSeaDesign Active Member

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    #9
    not trashing WordPress. It's great for what it's intended to do and I use it when the project calls for it. But these people who think it's the be all end all for web development have no clue. Wasn't trying to flame your advice :)

    Yes they have a site up and running and you could use a subfolder (which incidentally is what do.). That's one way. But if you are focusing on mobile users themselves I would suggest the m. domain. Cleaner and more professional but certainly not a must have.

    Here's a good site with information on building for mobile. Might have some useful info to help out out
    http://www.developershome.com/wap/xhtmlmp/xhtml_mp_tutorial.asp?page=wmlFeaturesLost
     
    AtSeaDesign, Feb 25, 2011 IP
    Blue Star Ent. likes this.
  10. webtosmartphone

    webtosmartphone Peon

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    #10
    You should check out webtosmartphone.com. They created an automatic converter that makes most websites mobile friendly. The converter acts as a "mask" over an existing website, with no need to register a new domain name. If it doesnt convert automatically, it can be done manually with the same "mask".
     
    webtosmartphone, Feb 28, 2011 IP
  11. alalawa

    alalawa Peon

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    #11
    check out mobify
    it is used to create free mobile websites
     
    alalawa, Mar 1, 2011 IP
  12. MobileWeb

    MobileWeb Member

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    #12
    Check WebtoSmartphone.com. It makes the conversion easy. If you need a custom-made conversion, we also do that ;)

    Good Luck,
     
    MobileWeb, Mar 14, 2011 IP
  13. BFiggy

    BFiggy Member

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    #13
    Just curious but what is wrong with detect scripts like Wordpress for mobile? Is it just the fact that they might present wrong information?
     
    BFiggy, Mar 30, 2011 IP