How many optimize for mobile?

07 May 12 3:26 pm

Thanks for the response Cecille.

I tested all my Blog edits on my Android Samsung Galaxy SII's browser as I went. They were all necessary for viewing on it. This is with the latest WordPress + StudioPress Genesis framework and StudioPress Eleven40 child theme for regular browsers or mobile. These commercial products are recognized as top quality and especially good for SEO (with the best SEO plugin from Joost de Valk).

However, I did do a lot of customizing on the theme so some of that accounts for changes I had to make for mobile.

Have not had time yet to run the site's newest HTML and CSS through my 2 code validator programs (BTW, I recommend the CSE HTML validator and the TopStyle CSS validator) - that might turn up some more stuff to debug.

For many sites, the options on a smart phone (for sites not modified for mobile) are:
1. Seeing the whole page, but too small to read.
2. Seeing an enlarged version of the page and having to swipe your finger across to scroll each and every line of text - but sometimes scrolling also breaks and the right side of the page remains invisible.

So a mobile ready site seems like a requirement, either now or soon. I'd recommend that all marketers check the specs on any themes to be used and see that they are mobile ready - this is sometimes called "Responsive Design" in the theme features lists.

Cheers!
_jim coe

08 May 12 8:54 am

Is there a tracking tool where you can know if your website has been viewed via mobile?

Good question Mary. Haven't been in Google Analytics for a while, but next time I'm in there I'll take a good look. I seem to remember some GA metrics about mobile.

Anyone?

Personally, I've decided that if StudioPress thinks it's important enough to make all their newer themes mobile ready and to modify their Genesis framework for it - then that's enough for me.

I won't be building any new sites or blogs which I don't test against my smart phone in future - unless a client specifically tells me not to prepare their site for mobile.

Cheers!
_jim coe

09 May 12 3:51 am

Yes, you can use Google Analytics to track mobile visits. I came across this video showing how you can track mobile visits using Google Analytics.

I think Mary raised a good point. Turning on this feature in GA will give one an idea of how many are accessing their site through mobile phones and thus, see if there is a need to optimize their sites for mobile users.

Have a good day!

29 Jun 12 10:52 am

Hey Jim,

I'm guessing that once you start venturing into other online assets like ecommerce sites, mobility becomes more of a need to have than anything else ;-)

Compuware did an interesting study in 2011 on what consumers expectations of mobile and application performance are:
[Link no longer available]

Actually, i remember a product being released some time back in 2011 that makes sites "mobile friendly" on the fly but passed it off as "hocus pocus" ^-.-^

Will try to find the email and post a non affiliate link back if i find it.

Have you come across any viable solutions that don't require hacking through the wordpress backend and that work on the fly independent of which wordpress theme you're using?

Cheers,
Jay

10 Dec 12 1:16 pm

Inorder to convert your site into mobile you should no convert it directly.. For example you may have many discription part which will be hard to rephase.. Instead you can create a website.. If you are having a blog then you can create similar blogs which is very easy using templates these days..

13 Dec 12 3:42 am

jimcoe raise good point here! The optimization through mobile is vital and have great chances to come across with popularity. This is effective idea to advertise site on mobile. A website is able to view by mobile because the resolution highly effects the performance of a website. Search the best mobile theme features and apply them for generating traffic.

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26 Dec 12 2:31 pm

I've found that since a significant number of users are "browsing on the go" it is well worth the effort to optimize your site for a mobile device. A significant number of people are using their smart phone all the time and if your website is hard to view and use on a smart phone you are losing a LOT of potential traffic!

28 Dec 12 5:25 pm

Notice that there are many phrases used to denote a "mobile device ready theme". Many theme vendors call them "Responsive" themes or "Mobile Responsive" themes.

Hope this helps...
_jim coe

29 Dec 12 1:35 am

Hey Mark...

Yes, I agree that website maps for visitors (not just for Google) are a good idea. I used to always include those in my client's static sites. Should probably do it again for my newer WordPress sites.

24 Dec 13 1:50 pm

Smartphones are in a trend now, 85% of the people are accessing their favorite websites on smartphones. SO, it is very important to optimize your website for mobile.
There are various points you need to take care for Mobile optimization:-
-> Your website should be accessible with mobile friendly alternatives like HTML5, jQUERY, JPG, GIF image formats.

-> It is suggested to not built websites in flash as flash websites are not mobile friendly.

-> Always make sure that your website has proper navigation that are going to show on mobile.

While doing search for mobile optimization, http://www.fatbit.com/fab/mobile-landing-pages-how-to-make-the-most-of-them/ , i found this link where proper guidance for mobile optimization has been shown. Read this. Its really interesting.