As a website owner, you can’t ignore this segment of potential site visitors.
I’m talking mobile.
More than 30% of web views happen on phones or tablets instead of traditional computers, and that number is growing.
On one of my websites, nearly 20% of visitors view the site on a phone, and another 14% on a tablet. It’s a little less on this site.
So if you don’t want to shut out 30% or more of your potential audience, you need to make your site mobile responsive.
One reader recently asked:
“Hey! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!”
There are three ways to make this happen:
- Create an entirely different version of your site for mobile users (Difficulty level: Hard)
- Use a plugin that shows a mobile responsive version of your site to smart phone and tablet users (Difficulty level: Moderate)
- Use a mobile responsive theme (Difficulty level: Easy)
Create a Separate Mobile Version of your Site
You can do this, but honestly, why would you want to? If you go this route you’re forcing yourself to maintain and update two separate sites. Big companies that employ dozens of programmers can afford to do this. As a small company owner or solopreneur, your time is better spent on other things.
Mobile Responsive Plugins
WPTouch is a free plugin, available from the WordPress respository. You can download it directly from your Add Plugins page. With lots of options, it will give you a functional, mobile responsive site that looks good.
Jetpack, which comes pre-installed with WordPress, has a mobile responsive feature. I usually uninstall Jetpack because I’d rather use individual plugins for the specific functions I want, but if you’re using it you can also use its ability to make your site mobile responsive.
WP Mobile Edition serves up a mobile version of your site. It also allows visitors to switch to the regular desktop version. This is a feature I appreciate as a user, because there are times when I get frustrated with mobile-only sites and want to see the full version that I’m used to. It’s also available from the WordPress repository.
Use a Mobile Responsive Theme
For most of us, this is the best option. You create a single site, and the theme itself takes care of the mobile part. You don’t have to do anything to make your site mobile responsive, so you can focus on your content and your business.
Both StudioPress and Elegant Themes (my two go-to theme designers) no longer release any themes that are not mobile responsive. Some of their older themes are not, however.
How do you know which themes are mobile responsive?
StudioPress makes it very easy
If the theme name includes “Pro” at the end, it’s mobile responsive.
To find the older themes that are mobile responsive, hover over the All Features filter and select Mobile Responsive.
The page will then display all of the mobile responsive themes, including Education (reviewed here).
Search for Responsive themes from Elegant Themes
Go to the Themes Gallery
Click the Responsive link
You’ll see two pages of mobile responsive themes, starting with the newest (and very impressive!) Divi.
After you make your WordPress site mobile responsive, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the increased levels and engagement and conversion!
