Oct 11
23
Going mobile...
Have you ever looked at a website on your mobile? I know I have… a lot! And there is nothing worse than not being able to read it properly on your phone.
Maybe your phone is optimised to fit the page to screen but it can still be a pain in the ass to read!
Also I plan to do some offline advertising for my new website and product (developers tell me it should be ready to go by next week) using a QR code. More on QR Codes in another post.
- QR code for my site
How it works
A mobile version of your site is part of your site. When people arrive at your site your website will check to see how they are arriving. If it can see they are arriving on a mobile device it will display the version of the site optimised for that device.
There are actually several ways to create a mobile version of your site. I will show you how to do this with a WordPress site and plugin. If you want to find other ways or programs to help you do this (maybe you don’t have a WordPress site) then check out this useful post on Mashable “8 Tools For Easily Creating a Mobile Version of Your Website“.
I will be showing you a different tool all together then any of the 8 listed above.
Tools you will need:
You will be able to do this one on your own. The only tool you will need is the “WordPress Mobile Pack” a wordpress plugin.
This plugin will easily create a customisable mobile version of your website and has added added features such as:
-
A mobile ad widget to easily enable mobile ads with AdMob or Google’s Mobile Adsense (for those wanting to be able to make money through advertising on their mobile version.
-
A mobile admin panel, that allows the blog managers to access the admin interface via a mobile device, with simplified access to the most common features such as editing a post or approving comments.
-
A barcode widget which adds a barcode to your desktop site so that devices with a suitable reader can quickly bookmark your mobile site, or deep link within it.
-
And heaps more
How to install and set up:
Simply go into your “plugins” page in your WordPress account. Search for “WordPress Mobile Pack” and click Install now.
Once installed you will be taken to the plug in settings and can edit as you please.
If you are unsure how to do this please watch the video below:
http://youtu.be/FocKAgkx_Mo (link for mobile users)
The cool thing about this plugin is that it also gives people reading the mobile version the option to view the normal non mobile optimis
Why go mobile?
In Australia alone I’m often reading articles about how our mobile (or Cell as America calls it) networks are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for mobile phone data usage.
They can’t upgrade the networks as fast as the data usage keeps growing! More and more mobile plans are sold with data allowance then ever before and more and more people are accessing the net on them.
I recently started working back in the CBD (downtown) for a couple of months in a new role. I haven’t had to catch the train for about 2 years so I found it very funny to see that MOST of the people on the train are heads down on their mobile phones (me too – I find it a great way to get small tasks done on my site or listen to a podcast training session!).
So it’s a nobrainer that you want your site accessible on these devices. In fact I think most business will be done on these devices in the future.
What do you think?
Do you use any other tools to do this or set up your mobile site another way? What do you think about the future of mobiles and the internet? Leave a comment and share the knowledge!
Nick
Hey tried to do this and I think I have too many plugins and customization installed to my blog.. It was taking too much time to load.. I’m going to have to create a mirror of my site and make a mobile site that way.. Thanks for the post tho.. It put the idea in my head..
Also, it looks like you may have a php error with your wordpress theme. I started out with this same theme. You may want to uninstall the theme from your blog, and reinstall.. It will have all the same settings.. Either that or update it.. if they have one.
Best of luck.. Check me out some time on iblog4dollars.com… Maybe we could work together and learn together
Hi Dennis and thanks for visiting my site!
Let me know how you go with setting up your mobile site! Maybe you would like to do a guest post on here after you’ve done it an alternative way? Are you going to create a subdomain on your own site or a completely separate mirrored site?
I’m always looking to learn and work with other people online so that sounds great. Whats your facebook or click my link above and add me as a friend!
Nick
PS thanks for letting me know about the error on my site. Turns out it was the second pic in this post that was too big and some how distorting my whole site! WEIRD!
Nick recently posted..How I got a mobile/cell version of my website running in under 5 minutes
I want to set it up on a mirror site. Something like m.mysite.com…. Once I get some time, I may look into doing it myself..
but sure thing my man.. I’ll definitely be interested in doing some posting on your site…
I just started my site but I’ve been blogging and internet marketing for a little over a year now.. Just like you, I’m looking to network and make a name for myself..
I sent you a friend request on Facebook by the way..
Hi Dennis,
That’s a good idea about a mirror site or sub-domain. Check out the link that shows several other ways to set up a mobile site apart from the one I show! There should be one in there that suits your needs!
I accepted the facebook add! And it would be great to work with you on building our businessed 😀
Stay in touch buddy!
Nick
Ow ya goin Nick?
Great instructions there on your video and the plugin looks to be something I reckon alot of people will look into.
I hardly use my mobile or cell, in Germany they call it a handy! As I haven’t warn a watch for years, I use my phone for checking the time and very rarely much else. But one must be realistic, ’cause people do surf the web using their mobile devices and having a website mobile code is probably a good idea.
Nice work Nick, cheers for sharing the info
Cheerio for now
Julie
ps.
Congrats on 3rd
‘We are the Champions’ 😀
Julie recently posted..Wanted Tach Growers & Cash Collectors
Hey Julie,
Thanks for your comments and you raise an important point here… That we should be adapting our site for our intended audience and delivering content in ways they like to access.
Congratulations on the win. All Blacks sites deserve it… I think they were undefeated for the season so it would have seamed unfair if france had won. Very close game… Kept it interesting!
Let us know if you get a mobile site up and running!
Nick
Kia ora Nick,
Well, it’s been awhile but I finally done it. I put up a mobile device on my blog. Still don’t use it myself, but is now there for anyone who does.
I needed to come back here for the plugin again.
So, how are you doing Nick? Keeping yourself busy? Enjoying the warmth while where all freezing our butts off over here? Oh the questions and on a weekend 🙂
Hope all is going well Nick, take care now
Haere ra
Julie
Julie recently posted..A Pyramid Scheme: Is That What Network Marketing Is?
This was amazing and never thought that this can only be made and done for just 5 minutes. Great job and glad I was able to read and find out more of the information here on your blog.
Liane Markus recently posted..חינוך ילדים