As I’m working with clients, particularly those new to WordPress, I’m constantly introducing them to the concept of having a mobile motive in their design. Statistically, most of the sites we build are being view anywhere from 30% – 70% by a small screen. Whether that’s a phone or a tablet the reality is that people are using their mobile devises in their day-to-day browsing. In many of my clients’ sites I’m seeing Safari as the #1 or #2 browser and the reason for that is the iPhone and iPad.
What’s a responsive designed theme?
In short, it’s a theme that automatically adjusts the theme based on the size of the screen that is viewing it. Every time a site loads on a device there is an exchange of information… and one of those things that your device asks a server is, “How big is that screen, big papa?” In responsive design, when your device tells the server… “I’m 500 pixels wide, master” than the theme has a plan for that… it adjusts the design to fix that 500 pixels.
Is it expensive?
Actually, no. Even WordPress’s new default theme for 2012 called… Twenty Twelve… is designed responsively. So really, you have no excuse. Most of the starter themes we are using today for our clients are responsively designed.
Should I convert or should I stay?
Yes, you should convert. The “old way” to handle small screens was to install on of the many mobile plugins. But now that responsive design is taking over and is so cheap, you should really think about moving to a responsive theme.
Want to get started? Contact us or start a forum thread and I’ll be happy to give you some advice.
