Mobile Redirects
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- ETM
Quick question with redirecting to mobile sites. I don't do a lot of them (dedicated ones), I am trying to instead to focus on adaptive design layouts, so bear with me.
I have a redirect script to detect the device and redirect to the mobile site, m.domain.com.
But they want a 'full site' link on the mobile version, so what's the best way to do that and not get stuck in a loop? Because if I just link back to the home page, the script will kick in and bounce them back to mobile.
Should I use another script that checks where they were referred from? If coming from the mobile subdomain, do not redirect? Should I use a cookie? Is there a 'proper' way to implement this in the mobile space?
- uan0
you do that with the .htaccess.
http://davidwalsh.name/detect-ip…
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} ^.*iPad.*$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://ipad.yourdomain.com [R=301]
- monNom0
a cookie sounds like the ticket here.
if((mobile)&&(!cookie))
- albums0
I deal with this as well. There are two camps and they are difficult to please. One side believes that mobile sites should offer lighter weight content sometimes in a more fluid listing format while others believe the full site with a responsive layout is key. It's still difficult for me to say which is better because a full site over the network can suck but you don't mind as much if you're pulling from wireless as the host's capabilities come into play as well regarding the user's experience.
you could always use your script to present a splash page with the most relevant & current of information including contact info then offer them navigation to a mobile optimized or full version of your site.
- ETM0
I'll clarify. The client has a standard site. It's not feasible to redevelop to a responsive layout yet, so a separate mobile version was done. It contains less info than the full site which is heavy. This all exists already. Because the mobile version doesn't have ALL info, just what is deemed needed by 90% of mobile users, they still want an option for the mobile user to go to the full, standard site if they need to.
So problem is:
Mobile Device ---> Full site ---> Detects Mobile redirects to mobile version.
Great, however, if they WANT the full site coming from the mobile version, how best to stop a redirect loop where the get bounced back to mobile by the detection script?
Mobile Site User ----> Full Site ----
- So I was wondering, script, cookies, combo, something exist already?ETM
- ETM0
^
Thanks. Didn't find that one in my searches. I believe I can get around the issue mentioned in the comments because the site uses a different template for the homepage and I'll only keep the redirect there. Still presents a few issues (mobile users maybe not landing on the homepage via search), but the site is only online for a week long event anyway.
- vaxorcist0
small bit of PHP browser sniffing? + some if/else logic? add a link or two....
but was the site done in ASP or some other language?
- dbloc0
so initially you will direct them to mobile site, but offer a link to full site. You are saying that if the click that link, you want them to return to the full site net time they come to the site?
- he's saying how to override the mobile redirect to browse full site? To not keep redirecting.albums
- Nathan_Adams0
I've used this successfully in the past: https://github.com/sebarmeli/JS-…
Handles the redirect from the main site to the mobile site, plus the full site link back.
- animatedgif0
Redirecting is the worst thing ever for a mobile site IMHO.
Usually if I'm hitting your site from a mobile device then I've found it through google, I don't appreciate just being forwarded from a deep link to your mobile homepage.
And if your web page is too heavy for a mobile device then maybe you have too much shit/ads or it's badly coded in the first place.
- Worst thing ever? Wow. Strong.ETM
- ever... for a mobile siteanimatedgif
- a full site is usually too large for a mobile device unless it's responsivedbloc
- Even a responsive layout can't always solve all problems of very content heavy sites.ETM
- ETM0
It's too heavy based on info, and they wish to streamline it as people will be using the mobile site for very few, particular items during a week long event.
... but thanks anyway for your speculation.
Also if you are unclear on how heavy sites are reduced/optimized for mobile then maybe you should look at pretty much any news or similar content sites and compare their standard and mobile offerings.
- animatedgif0
How often do you think
"Oh crap this has too much info I wish there was a mobile site"and how often do you think
"Fuck sake, I want the full version and it's sent me to this "optimised" crap" then you have to dig around for the "Show full site" link, usually at the bottom of the page on wordpress blogs for example that send you to that garbage default mobile theme.- honestly I usually only look at sites on mobile for basic info.dbloc
- ETM0
^ I rarely think that. If I go to CNN, I want the mobile version.
Anyway, this thread was created to ask a question that other member's have been great at contributing ideas. It's not an opinion thread. If you want to debate full/responsive/mobile optimized sites, by all means create a thread to do so. Its a great discussion.
Also, why do people always think that a designer/developer/firm that works on a job for a client has the power and budget to revamp their entire offerings?
"Can you do a mobile site for an event?"
"Sure, but I need to revamp your entire website and create a responsive design that works on everything."As to those contributed to my question with solid answers, thanks again!