Any recommendations for software to convert website for mobile viewing?

[eljefe3]

I was reading something the other day about how mobile is now a big option for people viewing and buying on the net( Here in Thailand it isn't), and I'd like to make my super fantastic products available to those  that use mobile for shopping.  I did see the article that gridone  mentioned in RC's pinterest thread, but those still took some work.  Is there any site or software where you could have it spider your pages, then have a quick set up wizard allowing you to put in your content of choice, or have the site reformatted to mobile use,  kind of a "mobile website set up for dummies".

[Rumbas]

I you code in html5 and use responsive design, you should be able to accomodate most mobile traffic?

[dogboy]

I'm with eljefe3... "mobile website set up for dummies".... just click to convert. I love the idea, and would buy 2:)

[Chunkford]

I have no idea what these guys are like or how much they charge or even how it works, but I came across them at ecommerce expo the other year
http://www.cart2mobile.com/

[grnidone]

I mentioned exactly this on the Thesis forum (for the wordpress theme Thesis) and the guys are indeed working on this.  2.0 of the theme is out (?) but I've not had a chance to look at that. 

Might have a look at that.

[rcjordan]

Welcome, eljefe!

>html5

As mentioned in other threads, my old semi-liquid code with dynamic image resizing seems to work well enough in iphones and I think it's still likely to be viable when it comes to being navigable on mobile. That said...

>convert

Here's my problem with conversions (except as a stop-gap measure); I think that the site may need to be redesigned from the ground up for any screen 7 inches (17.78 cm) or smaller. Sidebars and navbars are out, nav buttons need to be more prominent, more direct path to the action page.

[ukgimp]

We are approaching it with UA detection.

If mobile then full mobile version and if tablet or larger hit them up with responsive design. All on the same URL (preserves social shares). So no m.domain.

[rcjordan]

>UA

Yeah, I think that's the way you have to go. 

>7 inch

I've had some experience with a 7 inch Nook. That screen is (barely) OK for reading articles and checking the weather but I damn sure wouldn't want to be doing any major purchases on that screen UNLESS the site switched to a lot of whitespace and prominent nav buttons.  This is where I get the 7 inch cuttoff. Above that, it's a laptop experience ...even if it is an ipad.  (Though care should be given to minimize typing requirements as virtual keyboards suck.)

>m.domain

Personally, I hate it when I'm redirected to mobile *BUT* I am starting to have more and more doubt that you can reconfigure a site built for desktop access using responsive design and have it achieve top performance with your mobile users.  I'll add, however, that I do not think custom apps for specialized browsing of the site are the way to go in the long term.

[dogboy]

Wordpress has some plugins for this that will probably confuse the hell out of you and waste a day of your life, but hey, it's WordPress!

>I've had some experience with a 7 inch Nook.
I'm paralyzed with witty responses...

[eljefe3]

That cart2mobile.com looks nice, but I always know there's going to be sticker shock when in their FAQ's there's no mention of pricing. Of course they'll say it's because it's a one-off custom just for you.

As far as coding and html5, not my bag.

I  looked at the Thesis site and on this thread there was some interesting info http://diythemes.com/thesis/wordpress-plugins-success/ with  wptouchpro getting some kudos ( I don't use wp) and then some css code that might be of use.

Ideally I'd like to have an all in one home/sales/blurb page, then add product to cart pages, then a checkout page stripped out of a full on site.

[Brad]

You really do need a custom mobile site for smartphones.  (Ie. lamps plus.com).  However, I do generally like having a clear link to the full site when viewing in mobile and a link to the mobile version when viewing the desktop site. A manual override if you will.

[dogboy]

I'm using ecwid.com as a cart and I've been impressed with it since I brought it a year or so ago in here. It has a WP plugin as well, and is mobile friendly, and able to be configured with mobile friendly checkout providers.

[ukgimp]

http://www.howtogomo.com/en-gb/m/

[IrishWonder]

You really do need a custom mobile site for smartphones.  (Ie. lamps plus.com).  However, I do generally like having a clear link to the full site when viewing in mobile and a link to the mobile version when viewing the desktop site. A manual override if you will.

Oh yes, an override option is a must - so disappointing when you are forced to the mobile version

[Rooftop]

Oh yes, an override option is a must - so disappointing when you are forced to the mobile version

I tend to leave the use desktop version  option on my phone turned on most of the time now.  Unless I am really struggling for bandwidth I tend to find the full version easier to use in most cases.  I got so bored of trying the mobile version then switching to desktop than I now just leave it on by default.  Responsive you have to live with still. I might have to right a plugin that fakes the screen size too.