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The value of mobile sites to users and businesses

by PaulintheSticks
43 replies
Been mulling this over and I've got a few thoughts.

1. So someone gets locked out of their car and they google locksmith and google local give them a list of local locksmiths. Are they going to get on the locksmith's site or make a call?

2. I'm not a smart phone user so I talked to a friend who is and he claims that people are so used to using sites that aren't mobile formatted and they are really adept at navigating so a mobile site has very limited value.

Any thoughts?
#businesses #mobile #sites #users
  • Profile picture of the author elCapitan
    Personally, If I was in that situation, I wouldn't care about the mobile site - I would call the first number I saw and would ask for the price.

    However, for other things, I definitely go to the mobile site (news, ecommerce, info, services).
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  • Profile picture of the author winagain
    Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

    Been mulling this over and I've got a few thoughts.

    1. So someone gets locked out of their car and they google locksmith and google local give them a list of local locksmiths. Are they going to get on the locksmith's site or make a call?

    Any thoughts?
    If that were my business, I would make a mobile website for sure:
    1. Include your phone in the metatags.
    2. Put your number with large fonts, so it's the first think the visitor sees.
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  • Profile picture of the author SeanThomas
    Personally, when i get to a mobile site i usually click desktop version because the mobile version is just so poorly designed and the format is just straight horrible. HOWEVER, when the site is neat and professional mobile sites tend to be easier to navigate around and you don't have to scroll around the screen and zoom in to make sure you click the right link, so depending on the design and format would determine which one I like better.

    But as stated above in that situation I would just call the first local number I would see.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Some will disagree but I think selling mobile sites is a thing of the past. All new designers and templates that are any good are responsive. They look just as good on any device.

    I know people are selling mobile sites but I think the time to jump into that game has passed. It is past its peak and will not be a needed service before long.
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    • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
      [QUOTE=Dan McCoy;7645676]They look just as good on any device. [QUOTE]

      I thought the ability to navigate and user-friendliness was the main issue not the look.

      Here's a mockup I did last night: Main Street Auto - Desktop vs. Mobile Comparison

      Quite a difference.
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      • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
        [quote=PaulintheSticks;7645753][QUOTE=Dan McCoy;7645676]They look just as good on any device.

        I thought the ability to navigate and user-friendliness was the main issue not the look.

        Here's a mockup I did last night: Main Street Auto - Desktop vs. Mobile Comparison

        Quite a difference.
        For sure there is a big difference. And many sites that are up right now are NOT responsive.

        Fully responsive design is the way of the future. So, yes you are helping people who are not interested in getting a whole new site right now. As we go forward (over the next five years probably) separate mobile sites will not be needed because they will function equally well on any device.

        There is no doubt your customer could use a mobiles site and that you can make money on it right now.
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        • Profile picture of the author ERPLeadsWriter
          Well the situation you described is an emergency. And if I were a locksmith who somehow needed mobile exposure, I would actually be more concerned with helping people in that regard. That said, I agree with those saying a number should be the first thing to get a highlight.

          Although, I might also add that it's better for it to speak directly to someone who really did just lose their keys. Maybe something like "Locked Out?" and then the number below in bigger font. Rough suggestion I'm sure but the concept is: have something for people in that kind of emergency.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sys4
          The value to users and businesses is about choices. Mobile/responsive websites give a business' customers another option to choose from when communicating with the business.

          Not every customer is going to be a user of FB, Twitter, Pinterest, or have a texting plan. But if your offline clients aren't offering these options to communicate with their customers, their competition will.

          BTW... A lot of the advantages mobile sites had back in the day, have been erased by the increase in speeds, bandwidth, and screen resolution. As mentioned in a previous post in the thread, I'd almost always suggest using a responsive website design today and forget about implementing a mobile site. For the example you gave, the locksmith, I'd use a mobile site as a stopgap until such time as your client was ready to implement a responsive website redesign of their site.
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          • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
            BTW... A lot of the advantages mobile sites had back in the day, have been erased by the increase in speeds, bandwidth, and screen resolution. As mentioned in a previous post in the thread, I'd almost always suggest using a responsive website design today and forget about implementing a mobile site. For the example you gave, the locksmith, I'd use a mobile site as a stopgap until such time as your client was ready to implement a responsive website redesign of their site.[/QUOTE]

            Hi Sys4,

            Very interesting comment....

            I sell mobile websites to my clients as an upsell to my lead-gen desktop sites.

            But, I have come across resistance from some clients who just don't like them

            They mention two main reasons...

            Firstly, they seem to think that the vast majority of their customers use iPhones and other Smart Phones where screen size, speed of upload, bandwidth etc. is increasing.

            The upshot of this is that when a standard desktop site is viewed on say an iPhone 5, then the customer can instantly enlarge the site (and zoom in on essential information such as contact number) by just using a flick of their fingers.

            Secondly, and far more seriously, several of my clients have pointed out that they are worried that a mobile website could actually LOSE them business as compared to a desktop website being viewed on a smart mobile device.

            When I asked them what they meant - they said that if a potential customer looks at a competitor's website and it is highly professional with loads of juicy pics of say different pizzas, and menu choices etc. etc. they may zoom in and out with no difficulty and be very impressed with the professionalism etc.

            However, if they land on my client's website, and see the simple mobile version, their first reaction might be - "Heck, what a very poor, basic website, although admittedly it is easy to navigate."

            If this potential customer forgets to click on the button which takes him to the desktop version, and instead goes back to the competitor's non-mobile site to order their pizza, then a potential sale has just been lost.

            To be honest, I was surprised that my clients thought of this objection, and the only way I could handle it was to mention that some of their customers will still have non-smart phone devices which could lose them business if they try to view their desktop site on them.

            The response: Give over, everyone now is getting smart phones because they can get them for free on the renewal of their contract.

            I went very quiet, because here in the UK, that is exactly what is happening.

            I use the SmallBiz Theme and also the brand new RockStars Biz Theme to build my client sites. Both of these WP themes are mobile responsive, but can be switched off. When I build standard sites for my clients - I give them the choice of wanting it to be mobile responsive or not.

            I show them the difference, including speed, ease of navigation, click to call button, etc. etc. but for the above reasons most choose not to have a mobile responsive website

            Am I missing something here? Or have mobile websites gone past their sale by dates as the technology behind iPhones etc. has increased at such a fast rate? as you indeed mention in your post above.

            I've seen some mobile sites which look absolutely stunning! But, IMHO, it's still true to say that the best designed desktop website for say a Pizza Restaurant, will look better (or at least as good) on a very fast smart phone with large screen, as compared to a very well designed mobile site, simply because everything else being equal it can display more information to help the customer make an informed choice.

            In countries and regions where smart phones are less common, then I guess that mobile websites are absolutely essential for a small business.

            Mark
            UK
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            • Profile picture of the author Sys4
              Originally Posted by MarkJez View Post

              BTW... A lot of the advantages mobile sites had back in the day, have been erased by the increase in speeds, bandwidth, and screen resolution. As mentioned in a previous post in the thread, I'd almost always suggest using a responsive website design today and forget about implementing a mobile site. For the example you gave, the locksmith, I'd use a mobile site as a stopgap until such time as your client was ready to implement a responsive website redesign of their site.
              Hi Sys4,

              Very interesting comment....

              I sell mobile websites to my clients as an upsell to my lead-gen desktop sites.

              But, I have come across resistance from some clients who just don't like them

              They mention two main reasons...

              Firstly, they seem to think that the vast majority of their customers use iPhones and other Smart Phones where screen size, speed of upload, bandwidth etc. is increasing.

              The upshot of this is that when a standard desktop site is viewed on say an iPhone 5, then the customer can instantly enlarge the site (and zoom in on essential information such as contact number) by just using a flick of their fingers.

              Secondly, and far more seriously, several of my clients have pointed out that they are worried that a mobile website could actually LOSE them business as compared to a desktop website being viewed on a smart mobile device.

              When I asked them what they meant - they said that if a potential customer looks at a competitor's website and it is highly professional with loads of juicy pics of say different pizzas, and menu choices etc. etc. they may zoom in and out with no difficulty and be very impressed with the professionalism etc.

              However, if they land on my client's website, and see the simple mobile version, their first reaction might be - "Heck, what a very poor, basic website, although admittedly it is easy to navigate."

              If this potential customer forgets to click on the button which takes him to the desktop version, and instead goes back to the competitor's non-mobile site to order their pizza, then a potential sale has just been lost.

              To be honest, I was surprised that my clients thought of this objection, and the only way I could handle it was to mention that some of their customers will still have non-smart phone devices which could lose them business if they try to view their desktop site on them.

              The response: Give over, everyone now is getting smart phones because they can get them for free on the renewal of their contract.

              I went very quiet, because here in the UK, that is exactly what is happening.

              I use the SmallBiz Theme and also the brand new RockStars Biz Theme to build my client sites. Both of these WP themes are mobile responsive, but can be switched off. When I build standard sites for my clients - I give them the choice of wanting it to be mobile responsive or not.

              I show them the difference, including speed, ease of navigation, click to call button, etc. etc. but for the above reasons most choose not to have a mobile responsive website

              Am I missing something here? Or have mobile websites gone past their sale by dates as the technology behind iPhones etc. has increased at such a fast rate? as you indeed mention in your post above.

              I've seen some mobile sites which look absolutely stunning! But, IMHO, it's still true to say that the best designed desktop website for say a Pizza Restaurant, will look better (or at least as good) on a very fast smart phone with large screen, as compared to a very well designed mobile site, simply because everything else being equal it can display more information to help the customer make an informed choice.

              In countries and regions where smart phones are less common, then I guess that mobile websites are absolutely essential for a small business.

              Mark
              UK
              Hi Mark,

              There is still a lot of value in mobile sites as an added avenue of communication for a business. Utilizing a responsive design does not prohibit you from implementing a mobile redirect targeting older mobile technologies. As mentioned previously in this thread, many of the big guys do it - with the reasoning falling along the line of wanting to be accessable to as many users as possible.
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    • Profile picture of the author cfperez
      I'll beg to differ. The responsive site looks cool, but if I'm using my thumbs while balancing a donut in the other hand, I'm grateful for the big thumb-sized buttons. However, one of those (4? 6?) buttons can also be "Desktop Site."
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    I agree with Dr. McCoy that responsive is the way of the future and that just offering mobile sites will fade.

    Also though, semantically speaking from the prospects point of view, prospects
    don't likely, really know the difference between mobile or responsive. Yet.

    Meaning that you can pitch them website design or redesign (because you're doing responsive) that includes mobile friendly for about the same price as someone offering mobile only?

    I don't have a smart phone either. (I do know that the click to call thingy is a good feature.)

    I also know that my hotel customers do use the hell out of their mobile devices as I have seen them come in get a quote for a room and then go back to their car and search for reviews and /or
    pricing. And, it's how a lot found us in the first place while they were on the highway.

    Another Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author mak25
      So my question is: Why do ALL of the major players have sites made especially for mobile?

      Check Facebook, Google, Ebay, Amazon, Papa Johns, the list goes on and on...

      They are not responsive sites, they are made just for mobile.

      Keep on thinking it's a waste of time for both, users and businesses, and I'll just keep on making bank.

      PS -
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      I don't have a smart phone either. (I do know that the click to call thingy is a good feature.)
      Another Dan
      So your comment has what value?

      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

      Some will disagree but I think selling mobile sites is a thing of the past.
      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

      There is no doubt your customer could use a mobiles site and that you can make money on it right now.
      Say what?
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      • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
        Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

        So my question is: Why do ALL of the major players have sites made especially for mobile?
        Huge corporations do a lot of things that small businesses shouldn't do such as spend millions on image ads and brand building.

        Keep on thinking it's a waste of time for both, users and businesses, and I'll just keep on making bank.
        Personally, I'm concerned with providing my clients products and services that give the best roi, not just those that I can sell.
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        • Profile picture of the author harryharris
          Paul

          Great thread.

          I thought that this might help with some stats if anyone wanted some to show to clients.

          Our Mobile Planet
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        • Profile picture of the author mak25
          Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

          So my question is: Why do ALL of the major players have sites made especially for mobile?
          Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

          Huge corporations do a lot of things that small businesses shouldn't do such as spend millions on image ads and brand building.
          That has nothing to do with my post.

          Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

          Keep on thinking it's a waste of time for both, users and businesses, and I'll just keep on making bank.
          Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

          Personally, I'm concerned with providing my clients products and services that give the best roi, not just those that I can sell.
          By that comment you're insinuating that I am not.
          Perhaps you take joy in taking my comments out-of-context, or twisting them to fit your needs.
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      • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
        Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

        So my question is: Why do ALL of the major players have sites made especially for mobile?

        Check Facebook, Google, Ebay, Amazon, Papa Johns, the list goes on and on...

        They are not responsive sites, they are made just for mobile.

        Keep on thinking it's a waste of time for both, users and businesses, and I'll just keep on making bank.

        PS -

        So your comment has what value?





        Say what?
        I'm not saying you have no value as a provider so I apologize if that is the way you took it.

        I was only saying that fully responsive design is the way to go. Over the next few years, a separate mobile site will not be needed. In the meantime, I was saying people could make money on them. There was no contradiction in my statements.

        It makes sense for Facebook to have a mobile site because their content is very dynamic and they have a scrolling style of content.

        For the average plumber, locksmith, or bakery this is not the case. Comparing them to Facebook is not a valid comparison.

        I'm glad you make money on mobile and I hope you continue to do so for as long as you may live.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sys4
          @Dan McCoy

          I just want to confirm what I believe you already know. Your previous post (#7) was well articulated, securely based in reality, and wasn't in need of further explanation.

          Please continue to share...
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        • Profile picture of the author mak25
          Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post


          It makes sense for Facebook to have a mobile site because their content is very dynamic and they have a scrolling style of content.

          For the average plumber, locksmith, or bakery this is not the case. Comparing them to Facebook is not a valid comparison.
          To end my posting on this thread, let's get clear about this: It seems you, the OP have either neglected to comment on my EXACT words and posts, or found it useful to make up comments that were never stated by me.

          To wit: Where in the hell did I EVER compare a plumber et al to Facebook?

          And just because Facebook has constant updates does not make it exclusive as to why they should have an all inclusive web design, and why others should not.

          Bogus. Just flawed thinking.

          And if you truly believe that responsive designs are the answer to EVERY mobile design and need, then you are truly fooling yourselves.

          So keep on holding hands people, singing kumbaya, hugging and drinking the kool-aid.

          I'm out there in the real world providing real mobile solutions to those who need and understand them.
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          • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
            Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

            It seems you, the OP have either neglected to comment on my EXACT words and posts, or found it useful to make up comments that were never stated by me.

            To wit: Where in the hell did I EVER compare a plumber et al to Facebook?
            I'll type slow so you can keep up.

            1. The OP is talking about a locksmith.
            2. You brought up the "Major Players" when you said:

            Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

            So my question is: Why do ALL of the major players have sites made especially for mobile?

            Check Facebook, Google, Ebay, Amazon, Papa Johns, the list goes on and on...

            They are not responsive sites, they are made just for mobile.

            My real question is: Do you have emotional problems? Angry much?
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            • Profile picture of the author mak25
              Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

              I'll type slow so you can keep up.

              My real question is: Do you have emotional problems? Angry much?
              Let me type even s-l-o-w-e-r....you are a ___________. (you fill in the blank)

              I made intelligent comments about you and the OP's comments about said questions.
              You both twisted them to fit your needs. Good for both of you.

              It seems all you and the OP could muster up as far as rebuttals or intelligent answers to those questions and comments is:
              Damn dude, why are you angry?

              Really? Is that all youse guys got?

              Nobody's angry. I just disagree with you. And it seems that in itself is an issue with you folks. You still haven't commented on my points. You dudes seem to have side-stepped them and pretended they weren't asked or commented on. Very convenient for you.

              Then perhaps you should revisit the questions asked and my comments made and see if THIS time you could answer or respond to them properly. Without diversionary tactics.

              Then all of you can hug and etc.

              Dammit guys, are you really that stupid?

              Or do you think the readers are?
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              • Profile picture of the author Sys4
                Originally Posted by mak25 View Post

                Let me type even s-l-o-w-e-r....you are a ___________. (you fill in the blank)

                I made intelligent comments about you and the OP's comments about said questions.
                You both twisted them to fit your needs. Good for both of you.

                It seems all you and the OP could muster up as far as rebuttals or intelligent answers to those questions and comments is:
                Damn dude, why are you angry?

                Really? Is that all youse guys got?

                Nobody's angry. I just disagree with you. And it seems that in itself is an issue with you folks. You still haven't commented on my points. You dudes seem to have side-stepped them and pretended they weren't asked or commented on. Very convenient for you.

                Then perhaps you should revisit the questions asked and my comments made and see if THIS time you could answer or respond to them properly. Without diversionary tactics.

                Then all of you can hug and etc.

                Dammit guys, are you really that stupid?

                Or do you think the readers are?
                Your posts read like this is not the first time you've found yourself asking if everyone is really "that stupid" or believed that "all of you" were working against you.

                I'm not trying to be malicious or hurt you. It's obvious that you need compassion more than ridicule. With the behavior you've displayed here, I'd suggest that it'll require someone with professional training to navigate around your anger to show that compassion.

                BTW... Regardless of your intent or beliefs, your posts started at aggressive and ended with angry. It is what it is.
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                • Profile picture of the author DABK
                  But, to get back to the original question:

                  I have a Galaxy ii. I was on the website of my new auto shop, looking for address and hours. I was going to take my car in and, at the same time, have someone meet me there... saving time, you know.

                  They have a responsive website. I did not like that... Yes, it loaded up pretty fast, but the info was not easily available... What was easily available was how the owner had won some positive mention on some auto mechanic magazine's site...

                  I was looking for a Japanese restaurant... One of the ones that showed up at the top is one I'd been to about a year ago that was good but, somehow, I forgot about.... They have a responsive website... But the home page is a video that did not load up...

                  No, they're not going to take the video down, they're very proud of it... I saw it on their main site: it's about them having tablets with images of every sushi dish they have - and they have a ton - and the video does look good...

                  Will work on them.

                  I had reason to search for estate planning attorneys... tons of sucky sites, but one that grabbed my attention was a responsive site. I was on my Galaxy ii, but this time I did not mind the responsive site... Difference? I was not in a hurry to get an address, price, menu or some other information.

                  My points: for me, some industries are better suited for mobile sites (restaurants, auto shops, florists, that kind), others can do both and/or are better served by responsive... The estate attorneys, for instance.

                  My next point: some responsive sites are badly-designed. So, even if they're in an industry where I think they're a good-match for, the owner would have been better off getting a good mobile one.

                  Lastly, even in the restaurant industry, it might depend on the area, what kind of people gravitate towards a particular restaurant...

                  I talked to the auto shop owner about a mobile site option... Showed him one I'd made for a bakery. He called it an 'app.' He liked the idea. His brother's cousin is web designer, so I didn't push it...

                  OP, if you're concerned, why don't you enlist a couple of restaurants in a market research... I know you don't do responsive sites. Still, you can find some you don't own, create some demos, have their clients play with them and rate them, rate how happy they'd be if the participating restaurant would have one (or if they do, how happy they are it does).

                  You'll get pretty good ideas from people you actually work with or would like to work with...
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                  • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
                    Originally Posted by DABK View Post

                    But, to get back to the original question:
                    LOL

                    His brother's cousin is web designer, so I didn't push it...
                    Well wouldn't that make him or her, HIS cousin?

                    OP, if you're concerned, why don't you enlist a couple of restaurants in a market research... I know you don't do responsive sites. Still, you can find some you don't own, create some demos, have their clients play with them and rate them, rate how happy they'd be if the participating restaurant would have one (or if they do, how happy they are it does).
                    Great idea. Thanks.
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                    • Profile picture of the author DABK
                      I don't consider my brother's wife's cousins cousins, neither does my brother. But some people I know do.

                      There's a guy who runs around telling everybody he's my cousin... I've met him the first time when I was in my 30's. My mother's never heard of him.

                      But the guy has a long list of relative of relative of relative and he is, indeed, at one end of the chain and I'm at the other.

                      In the village he was born, you stop with 9 times removed cousins. We're 7 times removed, therefore, according to him, we're family.

                      See what you get when you don't ask me marketing questions?

                      PS It's all on you too!
                      Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

                      LOL



                      Well wouldn't that make him or her, HIS cousin?



                      Great idea. Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      Meaning that you can pitch them website design or redesign (because you're doing responsive) that includes mobile friendly for about the same price as someone offering mobile only?
      I don't build desktop sites so really wouldn't know but that seems hard to believe. But I do know that I can easily build a decent looking mobile site in a couple hours. Can someone else confirm this?
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      • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
        Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

        I don't build desktop sites so really wouldn't know but that seems hard to believe. But I do know that I can easily build a decent looking mobile site in a couple hours. Can someone else confirm this?
        Hey Paul,

        To clarify:
        I know you are working the local small business arena and I am comparing mobile site to
        basic 3 to 5 page desktop site using a Worpress theme or a website template that has responsive built in. And, of course it would depend upon what you charge and can offer and still make profit and what would be best for your client. Something worth asking that web dev company you might be working with. Or, perhaps become proficient at Wordpress using responsive themes.

        Also, I'm on our town's Promotions Committee and we've just been through 4 presentations for the town's new site. Three proposals are for Wordpress and one would be using Drupal. All would be mobile friendly and no one stated an extra charge for making it mobile friendly.

        Two of the developers would use WP themes which are built in responsive. One WP developer would use a plug-in that would likely (we have not seen her mock up) make the site be mobile friendly, but on a different theme and more like a simple, seperate mobile site.

        The Drupal developer's proposal is the most expensive and again he did not break out additional charges for mobile friendly, but his method is to create a seperate mobile site - probably simpler than we want for promoting the town's businesses and features.

        Before I joined the Promotion's Committee, they paid $2000 to the previous developer
        for a strictly mobile site because the desktop site he built about 4 years ago was a flash template. (Because I was not in the loop and he never delivered the mobile site, I can't really say if $2000 was a reasonable price for what he was to deliver.)

        Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
    +1 Dan McCoy. Your responses are always rational and well thought out and I always appreciate your contribution.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Aww thank guys. I'd group hug right now if I could.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Search for them in the google mobile index: https://www.google.com/webhp?sky=ee

    They have a mobile phone image next to them if they have it.

    Or go to www.studiopress.com/responsive

    Or download Opera mobile emulator: Opera Mobile Emulator

    It gives false positives.

    Originally Posted by videoweb View Post

    I was wondering if anyone knows of a quick or short way to see if company has a mobile site.

    Besides typing in the company website in a mobile.

    Is there a browser plugin or Google search shortcut?

    Thanks

    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay Rhome
    So mobile sites have no value now, do they? And we sell them just to make a buck and don't care about our clients' ROI? Whatever buddy.

    First, a client might like his regular site and don't want to pay for a whole new one.

    And while a responsive theme will fit a mobile screen well, it might have too much info for a mobile phone, not be designed to be easily have quick to call functions or what mobile user search for all in the first glance. And for sites will lots of info, I find it best to have separate versions.

    For simple sites where the clients had none before, or wants to do all over again, sure I agree that then responsive is the way to go. I disagree though that it's the ONLY way to go ALL the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
      Originally Posted by Jay Rhome View Post

      So mobile sites have no value now, do they? And we sell them just to make a buck and don't care about our clients' ROI?
      Yea, that's exactly what I said. Thanks for quoting me. :rolleyes:

      Do you know what the word projection means as it relates to communication?
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    • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
      Originally Posted by Jay Rhome View Post

      So mobile sites have no value now, do they? And we sell them just to make a buck and don't care about our clients' ROI? Whatever buddy.

      First, a client might like his regular site and don't want to pay for a whole new one.

      And while a responsive theme will fit a mobile screen well, it might have too much info for a mobile phone, not be designed to be easily have quick to call functions or what mobile user search for all in the first glance. And for sites will lots of info, I find it best to have separate versions.

      For simple sites where the clients had none before, or wants to do all over again, sure I agree that then responsive is the way to go. I disagree though that it's the ONLY way to go ALL the time.
      Hey Jay...I don't disagree with you. I am not saying that there is NEVER a reason to have a mobile site. In fact, I pretty much said exactly what you said above.

      Sometimes the client likes their current site or doesn't want to invest in a whole new one. In that case, and probably many other cases that I am not familiar with, it's great.

      My ONLY point was to say that as we go forward (over the next five years probably) there will be less and less need for a separate mobile site for most businesses. I'm just looking at trends.

      As more businesses replace their aging sites, they will simply want one that works on all platforms. And, that is a reasonable thing for them to ask.

      So, knowing that is the trend, if you are looking to build a business, isn't it better to be ahead of the trend? Maybe it would be better to look for businesses who don't have a responsive site OR a mobile site and then build them a new, beautiful site that will work on all platforms?

      I think that is a much better place to build a business. Sure, some will want mobile. And those that sell mobile sites can sell them one. But, I am predicting that number will become less and less as we move forward.

      I mean no insult to anyone who is selling mobile sites. It is valuable for the people who need it.
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      Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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  • Profile picture of the author Defacto
    My main site is responsive but I still sell mobile sites by themselves using Dudamobile for the most part (easy). I will redo a client's site making it responsive but for the most part that has not been in demand. Maybe it will in the near future but if you can sell a mobile site for less than $300 and just cover your hosting fees then it is not a hard sell and does not have to be outsourced.

    Here's the thing. I can use email on any given day to make at least one sale. I will talk to them on the phone often times but email will bring me the lead.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      I just told (two hours ago, actually) a fine restaurant owner that his website doesn't play nicely with my mobile phone. Showed him a responsive site and a mobile site.

      Told him the responsive involves redoing his whole site and will cost about 40% more than what he paid for the one he now has.

      Told him about mobile sites, asked him to think how do his prospects search for his place. And that I charge $495 for a 5-page one. I showed him, on my phone, a mobile site I've done for a pastry shop and the main site for that pastry shop.

      He told me to make him a mobile site.

      In other words, I showed him his options and asked him to choose the one that has value for him. He chose the mobile site.
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      • Profile picture of the author Sebastian Wilde
        Originally Posted by DABK View Post

        I just told (two hours ago, actually) a fine restaurant owner that his website doesn't play nicely with my mobile phone. Showed him a responsive site and a mobile site.

        Told him the responsive involves redoing his whole site and will cost about 40% more than what he paid for the one he now has.

        Told him about mobile sites, asked him to think how do his prospects search for his place. And that I charge $495 for a 5-page one. I showed him, on my phone, a mobile site I've done for a pastry shop and the main site for that pastry shop.

        He told me to make him a mobile site.

        In other words, I showed him his options and asked him to choose the one that has value for him. He chose the mobile site.
        This doesn't surprise me in the least as I have had the same experience in the last few months.

        I sold a regular site to a local restaurant, got it ranking no. 1 in Google for business name+bar and business name+restaurant.

        It is generating leads and new bookings but..

        They weren't happy because it didn't look like a mobile site when they checked it out on their mobile phones.

        Sebastian
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        • Profile picture of the author DABK
          So make them a mobile version. Will R on this forum has some great templates.

          One of my first clients had a site for 3 years, got 2 inquiries in that time. It was a gorgeous site with rotating images that took all the above the fold space. The images were not closely connected to insurance (his business): skyline of Chicago, skyline of Chicago with car in front ground, that kind of thing.

          Then I came along. Changed the site to a wordpress site, didn't bother with rotating images.

          But, he got calls, and a lot of the callers became buyers. By the time he was #3 for keywords, his site was making him 15% additional revenue. But he was not happy: it was ugly.

          Of course, when I told him we could put his old site back, he said, NOOOO. Then he went right back to complaining that it looks ugly.

          Originally Posted by Sebastian Wilde View Post

          This doesn't surprise me in the least as I have had the same experience in the last few months.

          I sold a regular site to a local restaurant, got it ranking no. 1 in Google for business name+bar and business name+restaurant.

          It is generating leads and new bookings but..

          They weren't happy because it didn't look like a mobile site when they checked it out on their mobile phones.

          Sebastian
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  • Profile picture of the author syncjam
    I've heard the term "Responsive Site" thrown around quite a bit. I previously created mobile sites, but I'd be very interested to see some responsive sites, or more importantly, how I would create them.

    Are there some templates around for basic responsive sites? I do just OK with web building and I'm not real good with Wordpress, but I'm guessing that WP sites are probably the most responsive.

    Thanks all...
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  • Profile picture of the author VivekThakur
    Good Idea. Mobile site regarding locksmith really works in such situations.
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  • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
    I sent a mockup to a client (restaurant) last night and she fell in love with it immediately. She e-mailed me twice to tell me she can't find it on the web (she's excited) and told me to come pick up the $500 (13 pgs) next week.

    Her business is doing well though. I think selling mobile sites is just like selling anything...its all about finding the right prospects. There are tons of businesses that are really struggling and have a lot more to worry about than building a mobile site and they are smart not to. I think its important to figure that out ASAP and then move on.
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