Responsive sites vs separate mobile website?

BarbStep · 16th Jul 2013, 09:22 AM

Just wondering what others thoughts are on responsive sites vs having separate sites (desktop site with redirect to a mobile site).

I seen a post on Googles Webmaster that got me thinking more towards responsive sites. Here's a link to the posting: Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Changes in rankings of smartphone search results

Would love to hear some feed back on the subject

Kevin Z · 16th Jul 2013, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by BarbStep

Just wondering what others thoughts are on responsive sites vs having separate sites (desktop site with redirect to a mobile site).

I seen a post on Googles Webmaster that got me thinking more towards responsive sites. Here's a link to the posting: Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Changes in rankings of smartphone search results

Would love to hear some feed back on the subject

A topic that never seems to go away! A separate mobile site works fine as long as it follows Googles guidelines. In some cases you may find that responsive is the better option but IMO if you are building a "mobile first" experience then you won't get very far with Responsive. Another issue is that many SMB's will be hesitant to invest heavily to revamp their entire website to make it responsive where a separate mobile website will solve their problem quickly and cost effectively!

Jay Moreno · 17th Jul 2013, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by BarbStep

Just wondering what others thoughts are on responsive sites vs having separate sites (desktop site with redirect to a mobile site).

I seen a post on Googles Webmaster that got me thinking more towards responsive sites. Here's a link to the posting: Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Changes in rankings of smartphone search results

Would love to hear some feed back on the subject

Ponder this question....

What is wrong with responsive AND standalone?

Or better still responsive AND adaptive?

There is no reason why you cant compliment your responsive theme with a more optimized mobile version of the site.

Responsive is great for Desktop and Tablet viewers but adding a mobile optimized layer or standalone site will give the best overall mobile end user experience. All you would be doing is complimenting what a great job you have done with the desktop site.

Look at other Google resources and you will see that they state they recommend responsive ONLY when it is suitable to do so...

Unfortunately they are vague to say when its not suitable to use... but it doesn't take much to think about it... take Kevin's point for example... then consider other factors, page load times, page file size, think overall end user mobile experience.

I hope that helps and gives you something to consider.

Valdor Kiebach · 18th Jul 2013, 04:27 AM

I am creating a new site for a friend and I have gone for a single responsive site.
I can easily add some javascript or PHP to it to add things like 'tap to call' buttons if it is being browsed on a phone.

It looks good in full desktop and also on my phone / tablets and even on a desktop but with the browser window not maximised.

As for SMB's not wanting to invest, it would be just as easy to write the new CSS code and add the standard responsive javascript to the pages header. It could end up being less work than creating a whole new seperate mobile site.

BUT it all depends on what the site is meant to do or what functionality it has so the decision would have to made on a site by site basis.

For my friends site a responsive design is the best option.
For other sites a mobile site might be the only option.
Then others might need both.

amcg · 18th Jul 2013, 04:47 AM

Just wondering what others thoughts are on responsive sites vs having separate sites (desktop site with redirect to a mobile site).

I'm always in favor of responsive. You will most likely need mobile specific apps i.e iPhone, Android etc. So ideally, your website should be responsive to allow folks on desktops, tablets etc to easily use it and you yourself can easily maintain it using the one codebase.

MobiDev · 18th Jul 2013, 08:43 AM

Hi!

A responsive design is great because it shows more stuff or less, optimized for a mobile layout, but is likely to still provide access to the full desktop-view's content. But there are some limitations:
- Not lightweight enough for mobile networks
- Overly complex, longer development times, more cost
- Does not take into account that mobile visitors often have different needs than desktop visitors

So, before making a decision, you should take everything into consideration.

Jay Moreno · 21st Jul 2013, 04:02 AM

It's funny how many people comment on responsive and mobile but never once mention Adaptive/RESS...

RESS is responsive but with server sided code doing the extra leg work to make the site more mobile optimized....

It takes the best of both responsive and standalone and serves mobile optimized content on the same url just like a responsive site so there's no need for a separate domain or subdomain - it just makes the site much more user friendly for your mobile end users - think WPtouch for example that uses the same technology.

If you use adaptive logic flow it makes sure that whatever content is viewed is the most compatible for the device accessing it since not all mobile devices accessing the web are smartphones, most feature phones have some kind of web browser on them too and dont necessarily handle HTML5 or jQuery so well.

All you are doing is complimenting your desktop theme with an added mobile layer that benefits the end user - isn't that who you should be building the site for in the first place? For the end user experience? Plus what is quicker? Messing around with an existing sites code to make it responsive or installing a plugin or redirect that will give your end user a mobile optimized site...

Most responsive sites that i have seen are typically +1mb and have 20+ header requests where as mobile optimized sites are typically a 10th of that or less typically between 20kb to 100kb max... and usually have sub 10 http requests - as connection speeds like 4G LTE become standard page size will probably not matter so much but still there are plenty of stats to show that pages loading over 4/5 seconds on mobile significantly increase bounce.

By adding that extra mobile optimized layer or site as a developer you can worry less on how the site looks or is formatted on a small screen and simply let your design juices flow for the bigger screens and continue the same design elements over to your mobile site. Desktop viewers get great visuals - mobile viewers get fast loading sites and great visual AND the option to switch back to the desktop site if they want! You get more time/money to move on to your next project, client is happy for the added value you have provided! Win Win!

mjbmedia · 21st Jul 2013, 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by Jay Moreno

It's funny how many people comment on responsive and mobile but never once mention Adaptive/RESS...

RESS is responsive but with server sided code doing the extra leg work to make the site more mobile optimized....

It takes the best of both responsive and standalone and serves mobile optimized content on the same url just like a responsive site so there's no need for a separate domain or subdomain - it just makes the site much more user friendly for your mobile end users - think WPtouch for example that uses the same technology.

If you use adaptive logic flow it makes sure that whatever content is viewed is the most compatible for the device accessing it since not all mobile devices accessing the web are smartphones, most feature phones have some kind of web browser on them too and dont necessarily handle HTML5 or jQuery so well.

All you are doing is complimenting your desktop theme with an added mobile layer that benefits the end user - isn't that who you should be building the site for in the first place? For the end user experience? Plus what is quicker? Messing around with an existing sites code to make it responsive or installing a plugin or redirect that will give your end user a mobile optimized site...

Most responsive sites that i have seen are typically +1mb and have 20+ header requests where as mobile optimized sites are typically a 10th of that or less typically between 20kb to 100kb max... and usually have sub 10 http requests - as connection speeds like 4G LTE become standard page size will probably not matter so much but still there are plenty of stats to show that pages loading over 4/5 seconds on mobile significantly increase bounce.

By adding that extra mobile optimized layer or site as a developer you can worry less on how the site looks or is formatted on a small screen and simply let your design juices flow for the bigger screens and continue the same design elements over to your mobile site. Desktop viewers get great visuals - mobile viewers get fast loading sites and great visual AND the option to switch back to the desktop site if they want! You get more time/money to move on to your next project, client is happy for the added value you have provided! Win Win!

err that's probably because most people haven't got a clue what you're on about ;-)

Google haven't written 10 blogs on adaptive sites yet so nobody knows about them.

You are a good developer , most of us, certainly me, are not and you sort of lost me in the second paragraph .

Jay Moreno · 21st Jul 2013, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by mjbmedia

err that's probably because most people haven't got a clue what you're on about ;-)

Google haven't written 10 blogs on adaptive sites yet so nobody knows about them.

You are a good developer , most of us, certainly me, are not and you sort of lost me in the second paragraph .

Am more than happy to demonstrate if your interested

ozlizard · 21st Jul 2013, 06:24 AM

It is so quick and easy to create a stand alone site and the chances are it will perform better than a responsive one.

mjbmedia · 22nd Jul 2013, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jay Moreno

Am more than happy to demonstrate if your interested

Hi Jay

O yes I know, I already have your software, the WP based one and it's damn good, I was more meaning you are using phrases that may not resonate with many of the readers on here so whilst your points are more than valid, they not be totally valued or understood and that could be partly why people aren't using or talking about adaptive, because it's not something they are fully aware of or understand the advantages of .

Jay Moreno · 22nd Jul 2013, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by mjbmedia

Hi Jay

O yes I know, I already have your software, the WP based one and it's damn good, I was more meaning you are using phrases that may not resonate with many of the readers on here so whilst your points are more than valid, they not be totally valued or understood and that could be partly why people aren't using or talking about adaptive, because it's not something they are fully aware of or understand the advantages of .

LOL thats why i have Jeff normally does our public talking/explaination for jumpmobi- he puts it into laymens terms way better than i do - i am a self confessed techie!

dmbrennan · 24th Jul 2013, 12:28 PM

I'm struggling to find a Responsive Website developer (US Based), any suggestions?

And, understanding you get what you pay for, is $500 - $1500 a solid range for a Responsive design?

krenisis · 24th Jul 2013, 08:38 PM

Forumotion you can get free webhosting and the site works on mobile pretty well. The newer phones like galaxy s2 and up dont really need as much optimizing as in the past though.

Adrian John · 25th Jul 2013, 11:24 AM

Have a look at these 2 threads to get an idea and decide for yourself

I would go for a custom mobile website for smartphones and an adaptive or responsive for tablets.
http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...ve-design.html
http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...-websites.html
Hope it helps

BarbStep · 25th Jul 2013, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by mjbmedia

Hi Jay

O yes I know, I already have your software, the WP based one and it's damn good, I was more meaning you are using phrases that may not resonate with many of the readers on here so whilst your points are more than valid, they not be totally valued or understood and that could be partly why people aren't using or talking about adaptive, because it's not something they are fully aware of or understand the advantages of .

I agree with you, I never heard of adaptive until just now. I'll have to take a closer look at this and learn about it. Thanks!!

Kevin Z · 25th Jul 2013, 12:15 PM

Just when you thought the debate was dead...

Marketers at odds over effectiveness of responsive design - Mobile Marketer - Content

16th Jul 2013, 09:22 AM	#1
BarbStep Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38 Thanks: 24 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: Just wondering what others thoughts are on responsive sites vs having separate sites (desktop site with redirect to a mobile site). I seen a post on Googles Webmaster that got me thinking more towards responsive sites. Here's a link to the posting: Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Changes in rankings of smartphone search results Would love to hear some feed back on the subject

18th Jul 2013, 04:27 AM	#4
Valdor Kiebach Howdy War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: England Posts: 679 Thanks: 101 Thanked 150 Times in 124 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: I am creating a new site for a friend and I have gone for a single responsive site. I can easily add some javascript or PHP to it to add things like 'tap to call' buttons if it is being browsed on a phone. It looks good in full desktop and also on my phone / tablets and even on a desktop but with the browser window not maximised. As for SMB's not wanting to invest, it would be just as easy to write the new CSS code and add the standard responsive javascript to the pages header. It could end up being less work than creating a whole new seperate mobile site. BUT it all depends on what the site is meant to do or what functionality it has so the decision would have to made on a site by site basis. For my friends site a responsive design is the best option. For other sites a mobile site might be the only option. Then others might need both.

18th Jul 2013, 08:43 AM	#6
MobiDev HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA, 94108 Posts: 206 Thanks: 12 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Blog Entries: 163	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: Hi! A responsive design is great because it shows more stuff or less, optimized for a mobile layout, but is likely to still provide access to the full desktop-view's content. But there are some limitations: - Not lightweight enough for mobile networks - Overly complex, longer development times, more cost - Does not take into account that mobile visitors often have different needs than desktop visitors So, before making a decision, you should take everything into consideration.
	Software development is a Passion!

21st Jul 2013, 04:02 AM	#7
Jay Moreno Mobile+WP = JumpMobi.com War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 1,270 Thanks: 301 Thanked 449 Times in 309 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: It's funny how many people comment on responsive and mobile but never once mention Adaptive/RESS... RESS is responsive but with server sided code doing the extra leg work to make the site more mobile optimized.... It takes the best of both responsive and standalone and serves mobile optimized content on the same url just like a responsive site so there's no need for a separate domain or subdomain - it just makes the site much more user friendly for your mobile end users - think WPtouch for example that uses the same technology. If you use adaptive logic flow it makes sure that whatever content is viewed is the most compatible for the device accessing it since not all mobile devices accessing the web are smartphones, most feature phones have some kind of web browser on them too and dont necessarily handle HTML5 or jQuery so well. All you are doing is complimenting your desktop theme with an added mobile layer that benefits the end user - isn't that who you should be building the site for in the first place? For the end user experience? Plus what is quicker? Messing around with an existing sites code to make it responsive or installing a plugin or redirect that will give your end user a mobile optimized site... Most responsive sites that i have seen are typically +1mb and have 20+ header requests where as mobile optimized sites are typically a 10th of that or less typically between 20kb to 100kb max... and usually have sub 10 http requests - as connection speeds like 4G LTE become standard page size will probably not matter so much but still there are plenty of stats to show that pages loading over 4/5 seconds on mobile significantly increase bounce. By adding that extra mobile optimized layer or site as a developer you can worry less on how the site looks or is formatted on a small screen and simply let your design juices flow for the bigger screens and continue the same design elements over to your mobile site. Desktop viewers get great visuals - mobile viewers get fast loading sites and great visual AND the option to switch back to the desktop site if they want! You get more time/money to move on to your next project, client is happy for the added value you have provided! Win Win!
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21st Jul 2013, 06:24 AM	#10
ozlizard Active Warrior Registered Member Join Date: 2013 Location: Western Australia Posts: 88 Thanks: 2 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: It is so quick and easy to create a stand alone site and the chances are it will perform better than a responsive one.
	Mobile Sites/Web Sites/Mobile Marketing http://www.zapmedia.com.au

24th Jul 2013, 12:28 PM	#13
dmbrennan Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Location: Bethlehem PA Posts: 21 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: I'm struggling to find a Responsive Website developer (US Based), any suggestions? And, understanding you get what you pay for, is $500 - $1500 a solid range for a Responsive design?

24th Jul 2013, 08:38 PM	#14
krenisis Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 58 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: Forumotion you can get free webhosting and the site works on mobile pretty well. The newer phones like galaxy s2 and up dont really need as much optimizing as in the past though.
	Android Developers post your free game or app and get more exposure and downloads http://androidfreegamesapps.forumotion.com/

25th Jul 2013, 11:24 AM	#15
Adrian John Mobile Website Designer War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 529 Thanks: 611 Thanked 119 Times in 95 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: Have a look at these 2 threads to get an idea and decide for yourself I would go for a custom mobile website for smartphones and an adaptive or responsive for tablets. http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...ve-design.html http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...-websites.html Hope it helps
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25th Jul 2013, 12:15 PM	#17
Kevin Z brickandmobile.com War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 309 Thanks: 60 Thanked 106 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Responsive sites vs separate mobile website? Share on: Just when you thought the debate was dead... Marketers at odds over effectiveness of responsive design - Mobile Marketer - Content
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