Mobile vs Responsive

12 years ago

You mean like a responsive site that comes with a WordPress theme? If so, I know what you mean because it's part of the package, whereas if you want a mobi site, then that's separate and would have to pay if can't design one's own.

Depending on your budget and if it's too small, just go with the responsive for now until you can get a mobile site built later. I've never seen a responsive site that comes with a WP theme I've liked thus far.... and that's comparing to a mobile site. If you look around the site at the classifieds, etc, you may find mobile site development from $50 to $100, give or take.

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Adamlee123

12 years ago

Mobile website is also include in responsive website. You need to spend little bit more time to make your website responsive.
You say Why?
Because now a days some people use mobile , some people use tablet and some people use desktop computer. You need to make your website for every user , user friendly. This why I prefer responsive design on mobile website...

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We Design

12 years ago

Depends on what kind of site you talking about. The biggest problem of resposive web sites is advertisement. Wide banner ads like 728x90 of 468x60 won't fit 320x480 resolution. Sure you can hide them using media queries but then you won't see proper CPM stats for these ads (they are hidden but they still load).

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Sam Zachuth

12 years ago

Responsive is the way of the future, for good reason. Mobile is the standard that came prior to the advent of pad devices and tablets. Thus it is outdated and merely a part of the new responsive standard.

Most major CMS have affordable responsive themes or templates. However, custom developed themes are always nicer! I tend to favor "bootstrap" works, personally. There are many themes and design's that utilize it these days.

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LastWarrior

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Sam Zachuth

Responsive is the way of the future, for good reason. Mobile is the standard that came prior to the advent of pad devices and tablets. Thus it is outdated and merely a part of the new responsive standard.

Not sure of this friend. Me thinks maybe you had too much of your product when you were at Woodstock.

I'm far from an authority on this, so I'm not sure either way. However, I'd bet dollars to your best "stash", I'm right thinking Mobile is the wave of the future more so than responsive. I'll have to post that to learn more. Besides, I thought mobile was created just for pads, tablets and smartphone users... opposite of what you just said. And part of me saying this is because I've yet to see a responsive site as good as mobile. If you or someone can show me an example of a "good" responsive site, I'd have a look and determine that for myself.

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Anonymous Affiliate

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Sam Zachuth

Responsive is the way of the future.

In my opinion, responsive is a trend-of-the-day gimmick that serves no actual useful purpose.

As a platform developer, I hate responsive. Why? because I cannot structure the layout of the site (charts, tables, forms, etc) as I think they're best presented, since it all eventually depends on the user's browser width.

For example: Let's say I'm developing a traffic tracking software, and let's say that from a User Interface experience point of view, I think it's best to always display the data table right next to the data chart, so users can compare them both side by side. Well, guess what? I cannot ensure that my customers will experience my interface as I envision it because it will depend on how wide/shrunk their browser is when they land on my site. Therefore, their experience using my platform is out of *my* control, and thus it might be hindered.

I prefer to have 2 versions of my site: a fixed full blown out version for desktop users, and a lighter version for mobile. That way, I make sure both versions are optimized to the SPECIFIC screen size they're using.

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NK

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

In my opinion, responsive is a trend-of-the-day gimmick that serves no actual useful purpose.

As a platform developer, I hate responsive. Why? because I cannot structure the layout of the site (charts, tables, forms, etc) as I think they're best presented, since it all eventually depends on the user's browser width.

For example: Let's say I'm developing a traffic tracking software, and let's say that from a User Interface experience point of view, I think it's best to always display the data table right next to the data chart, so users can compare them both side by side. Well, guess what? I cannot ensure that my customers will experience my interface as I envision it because it will depend on how wide/shrunk their browser is when they land on my site. Therefore, their experience using my platform is out of *my* control, and thus it might be hindered.

I prefer to have 2 versions of my site: a fixed full blown out version for desktop users, and a lighter version for mobile. That way, I make sure both versions are optimized to the SPECIFIC screen size they're using.

Although I disagree that responsive sites are just a trend-of-the-day and serves no real purpose (design itself is a purpose, IMO), those are some really great points that should be taken into consideration when choosing one over the other. But not every site needs that kind of detail to attention, though, and when you have limited funds, it would probably be cheaper to go for responsive.

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nettiapina

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

In my opinion, responsive is a trend-of-the-day gimmick that serves no actual useful purpose.

If you've said that responsive is laborious and not always easy to get right, I would've agreed. But serves no actual purpose? Of course it has a purpose. Even the success and adoption says that it's useful for something.

When all the major mobile browsers have implemented something it's pretty hard to argue that it's just a gimmick.

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

As a platform developer, I hate responsive. Why? because I cannot structure the layout of the site (charts, tables, forms, etc) as I think they're best presented, since it all eventually depends on the user's browser width.

This, of course, is a different topic from having your average website adapt to the screen size. Websites are much easier and more uniform in this sense.

The screen is going to be narrow so you can't just slap the elements like you would on a big screen, but that doesn't change wether you use responsive design or some other method. Small screen is small.

I get the feeling that you don't actually hate responsive. You hate the way mobile changes your presentation. Well, modern mobile browsers try to tackle this issue by zooming/resizing/scrolling non-responsive pages. You don't actually need to use anything if it fits the purpose better.

Having your graphic artist draw templates for mobile screens probably helps. It's quite rare that they take this in account unless you tell them to.

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

I prefer to have 2 versions of my site: a fixed full blown out version for desktop users, and a lighter version for mobile. That way, I make sure both versions are optimized to the SPECIFIC screen size they're using.

You could be referring to responsive with this bit right here. Basically you just allow the site adapt to the screen size when it gets under certain threshold. Above that it's full-blown desktop site.

I'm usually going to have three sizes for a responsive site: desktop, tablet (vertical), and phone. The last two are often very similar to each other. Apart from that it's just little fixes for elements that wont behave for whatever reason.

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AprilMSU

12 years ago

The majority of people are using mobile devices to view websites. If you want to hear trendy, desktop computers are the trend going out while mobile devices continue to increase in number of usages. Have seen the number of mobile phones sold per year? That is reality. Desktop is slowly washing out as your every day user surfing the internet.

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

In my opinion, responsive is a trend-of-the-day gimmick that serves no actual useful purpose.

As a platform developer, I hate responsive. Why? because I cannot structure the layout of the site (charts, tables, forms, etc) as I think they're best presented, since it all eventually depends on the user's browser width.

For example: Let's say I'm developing a traffic tracking software, and let's say that from a User Interface experience point of view, I think it's best to always display the data table right next to the data chart, so users can compare them both side by side. Well, guess what? I cannot ensure that my customers will experience my interface as I envision it because it will depend on how wide/shrunk their browser is when they land on my site. Therefore, their experience using my platform is out of *my* control, and thus it might be hindered.

I prefer to have 2 versions of my site: a fixed full blown out version for desktop users, and a lighter version for mobile. That way, I make sure both versions are optimized to the SPECIFIC screen size they're using.

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MobiDev

12 years ago

It depends in the type of your website. Mobile website will work well if:
- If you require major differences between desktop and mobile versions of the website (for example, completely different content), a mobile URL is a good choice;
- Your mobile website must be ranked by search engines the same as the desktop one;
- If there is only a mobile version of the website, make sure that desktop users are enabled to open it;
- There mustn't be chaos in redirects - mobile devices must open the mobile version, while desktops must open the full one;
- When there is no corresponding mobile webpage, your mobile visitors mustn't be redirected to another, irrelevant page (for example, main page), where they cannot find the needed information or perform the needed action. Either mobile visitors should be redirected to the relevant desktop page, or there may be no redirect at all; and sending visitors to irrelevant pages perhaps would be the worst decision;
- It is also widely recommended to redirect tablet users to the full desktop version of the website.

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arianna143

12 years ago

Yes a website must be responsive because some people like to use the internet on their mobiles, tablets and in Iphone as well because they can't carry there laptop where ever they go. So a website must be responsive and easily readable.

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superiorwd 12 years ago

Adsense are starting to provide responsive ads (or at least a workaround for them): you set a class for the ads and media queries for the desired widths (computer, tablet, smartphone).

Responsive designs are displaying nicely on phones too, so you don't need a 'mobile' style per se, you just tweak the CSS and arrange the page elements for wider and more narrow devices. Not difficult to do and you don't have to deal with creating a separate design for the site anymore, you do it all from the main one.
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LastWarrior

12 years ago

MobiDev, Good chit. Thanks!

=================

Originally Posted by sathya83

If you choose mobile website, then you loose traditional visitors

Night out with the guys? Had a couple too many?

What study or info you have to back that? Because I'm not believing it. I believe the other side of that coin.... that mobile beats responsive, as mobile took ground before responsive was here. I'm not an expert on the subject, but this is what I understand thus far Leroy.

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JacobS

12 years ago

If my clients don't have a website or they want a new website, I usually set them up with a responsive or adaptive design. If they're happy with their desktop site and just want a mobile site, I design a mobile site. There's no real reason for them to pay me several times as much for a complete redesign.

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bawany

12 years ago

I think, Responsive is a solution for any website with any budget, above mobile site, but yes when we talk about huge web apps, then i would recommend to have a mobile site.

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jaintechnosoft

12 years ago

A mobile website is a completely separate website that has been specifically designed for usage on a small mobile device. A responsive website, also known as adaptive or responsive design, is one website that “responds” to the size of the viewing device. These websites are built so that they detect the screen size you are using and display the content in a layout that is easiest to read.

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w13

12 years ago

I prefer responsive website for functionality and limited budget.

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thuviennhadep

12 years ago

one vote for Responsive....

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mehrishaly

12 years ago

Responsive design obviously even if you have a limited budget go with it

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nettiapina

12 years ago

This depends on your site, as everything else. What's your site for? How much content does it have, and what part of it is useful for a mobile user? Is there a need to show limited version or some special stuff for user on the go? Do you see your site getting conversions on the mobile devices?

In my experience responsive design works well in most cases. Of course it's a bit of extra work that the client needs to pay for.

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NK

12 years ago

Responsive sites are actually cheaper and gives you greater control than having a separate mobile site. This is especially true when you're looking at long-term, where responsive sites will be the norm.

You'll also get a more consistent look throughout and allows your visitors to feel more comfortable when doing transition between viewing your site on their smartphones and on their computer.

You can do all this with a mobile version too, but hey, that's twice the work and cost.

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Dennis Millbrath

12 years ago

Doesn't responsive mean it is also mobile? Whenever I purchase a Wordpress theme I always make sure it is responsive so my site also works on mobile or tablet devices.

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NK

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dennis Millbrath

Doesn't responsive mean it is also mobile? Whenever I purchase a Wordpress theme I always make sure it is responsive so my site also works on mobile or tablet devices.

Yes, it does. I think the OP wanted to know whether he should go for a non-responsive site + a mobile version, or if he should go for a fully responsive site that also works on mobile (which tends to cost more than a regular site).

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suman786

12 years ago

Responsive Design is the popular trend at the moment. The basic concept behind
responsive design is to adapt the site to different resolutions.
Source: Free Download Top 5 Responsive Jquery Image Gallery/Sliders ~ Helpers Way

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copilu0

12 years ago

better to go with responsive. this way to can be sure that all your site visitors will see the site in a professional way

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RDB85

12 years ago

I would go with responsive personally. As they are designed to work on mobile, tablet and desktop. Also as technology advances so does your website. By adding new media queries you can cater for new devices.

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abidasaalim

12 years ago

Go for a responsive site even if you are with limited budget.

The reason is responsive site can be accessible to any screen sizes.

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renoldscott

12 years ago

Now a day's responsive and ui/ux design most use.

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723Media

12 years ago

A few others have made some very good points but there is one missing that needs to be thought about. If you go with a separate mobile version of your site, you now have 2 sites to maintain, both content and code-wise.

If you are talking about a typical content site and not a full web application that requires a specific user experience or interface, then responsive design is a much more fitting choice.

I tend to argue that, if done properly, even complicated user interfaces and experiences can be pulled off very well with responsive design.

If you don't have the budget or resources to maintain 2 code bases (or even if you do), then go with responsive.

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amcg

12 years ago

Originally Posted by mason44

If you're limited on spending, is it better to have a Mobile Site? Or Responsive? And why?

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Responsive. I think native rules because of limits on speed/data but once telco's build out better infrastructure this won't be the case.

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Wademcm

12 years ago

I'm a fan of Responsive, there's heaps of Responsive themes out there if you use WordPress - it's becoming pretty affordable.

Also, a responsive site will be more flexible overall if people resize their browsers or use a tablet and it will simply be more 'one size fits all' - whereas an separate mobile site may be only suitable for mobile (depending) and the main site may not accommodate smaller browser windows etc.

At the end of the day its all opinion but I'm a big fan of responsive!

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imsolutionsgroup

12 years ago

Having a mobile website is very important for local business owners. Usually when a potential client is searching for your products/services from their mobile device...they are a very "hot" lead and are in looking for what you have to offer.

That means you want to gear your mobile optimized page with as much important information about your business as possible. Just having a responsive website may be over-kill for the visitor with all the content.

People browse on desktops/tablets. People are looking for exact information on mobile devices.

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RDB85

12 years ago

From experience I would opt for Responsive. It is the way forward in terms of responsive design. As they work on Desktop, Tablet and Mobile.

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valarmorghulis

12 years ago

I'd go with responsive for sure. Responsive websites these days are alot cleaner looking than separately designed mobile sites. But its all a matter of personal preference really.

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thuviennhadep

10 years ago

Hi guys. Responsive is a solution for any website with any budget, above mobile site, but yes when we talk about huge web apps, then i would recommend to have a mobile site.