Actually there are 3 options for WordPress mobile themes, but one of them isn’t very good. The 3 options for WordPress mobile themes are:
- Use a mobile WordPress plugin
- Use a theme with responsive design
- Install a dedicated WordPress mobile theme.
I don’t like #3 – installing a dedicated WordPress mobile theme because then your site appears as a mobile website all the time. This isn’t a real solution.
What’s the ideal mobile option for WordPress websites?
You need a mobile solution that is flexible. By flexible, I mean that your website automatically displays in the optimal format depending on the device on which your website is viewed.
For example, if someone views your website on a regular sized computer, you want the full-sized (normal view) to display. If someone views your website on a Blackberry phone that has a small screen, you want it to display in a way that is condensed, yet still navigable and all your information is accessible.
a VERY Important feature for mobile websites is …
That visitors have the option to choose “normal view.” Sometimes if I’m familiar with a website’s normal view, I want to browse the normal view on my Blackberry. I’ve visited websites on my Blackberry where I can’t find a “normal view” option. I find this very annoying. The key is giving your website visitors the power to choose their optimal visit experience and the option for a normal view contributes to improving visitors’ experience.
2 best options for WordPress mobile themes:
1. ElegantThemes Handheld plugin
This is the method I use (I’m a long-time ElegantThemes member). I like the plugin option because I can use it with any other theme I use for my website. You don’t have to use a theme by ElegantThemes in order to use the Handheld plugin (very smart move by the folks at ElegantThemes).
Moreover, the Handheld plugin is SUPER EASY to set up. I created mobile versions of my websites in under 5 minutes per site (I did it for many websites one afternoon including this site – www.websitetemplatereviews.com – check it out on your mobile device to see the Handheld plugin in action).
Normal View
The best part of the Handheld plugin is that by default, visitors on a mobile device can choose “normal view” which is prominently visible at the bottom of the website display in mobile devices.
iPad and Handheld
ALSO – you can choose whether your WordPress website displays by default the normal view or mobile view on iPads. I choose to display normal view for iPads because iPad screens are large enough for normal view (in my view).
More information about the Handheld mobile WordPress theme plugin:
- Read my full Handheld plugin review for all the details.
- Visit the official Handheld plugin website to mobilize your website today.
2. Responsive Design for WordPress Mobile Themes
Responsive design is not a theme, but instead using code which changes your website’s display depending on the device. Arguably this is the optimal approach for mobile device website display because you can customize the display according to each type of device. The degree of customization is unlimited; however, it’s more difficult than simply installing and configuring a plugin such as Handheld.
Responsive design has been around for a little while; however, recently it’s become a popular method for WordPress theme mobile device display as mobile device use explodes in popularity over the last year or so.
I’m not averse to tinkering with code, but I have to admit I like the ease-of-use Handheld provides. Since I have Handheld installed and configured, I’m sticking with Handheld for now.
At the end of the day, Handheld and Responsive Design are the two best solutions for WordPress mobile theme display.
How do you code your WordPress theme for responsive design mobile websites?
Check out the following blog posts all about responsive design:
- Mobile Responsive Design: The Flexible Grid
- How to Make Your Website Respond to Different Mobile Devices
Is mobilizing a website even worth it?
Good question. Obviously I believe it is. Again, I prefer giving visitors the option to choose between mobile and normal views. I believe it’s impressive at this stage to offer a mobile view.
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