mobile versions of websites suck supersize donkey nuts

[colonelciller]

In my belligerent opinion, the "app" &/or "mobile" versions of websites suck turkey nads. That is all.

 

[KaOTiK]

I agree and I hate how sites automatically pull up the mobile version when I am on my phone.

 

[TheUnk]

The problem with a lot of them is that they are designed for old phones that don't have all the capabilities of a new phone.

 

[Murloc]

I don't have a smartphone so I don't have this problem.
They probably suck because there's no one-fits-all resolution for phone, also if someone is used to visiting a page on the PC, even if he has to scroll around he'll be fast at finding stuff. Not so if they change it up completely.

 

[AustinInDallas]

rotten tomatoes is the worst! I just want to read the F'n review synopsis and its no where on the mobile version

 

[silverpig]

I would disagree. If it is designed well, mobile sites are better IMO.

Here's a neat one: restaurant in Vancouver

 

[dighn]

you are crazy. normal sites are unusable on touch-screen phones.

no my fingers are not fat.

 

[FallenHero]

you are crazy. normal sites are unusable on touch-screen phones.

no my fingers are not fat.

pics or shens

 

[T9D]

Every damn website now is basically a mobile version. They all started when the iphone came out. One after another every website has been dumbed down and made everything larger and plainer. On one hand I like the simpler less heavy design, on another they were great before and way more functional.

 

[mmntech]

iOS, download Atomic, set "Identify Browser as" to Safari Desktop. Problem solved.

Some full desktop websites don't play nice with touch screens though. Especially ones with sliders.

 

[PokerGuy]

I hate the crappy sites that give you the mobile version if they detect a mobile browser. The mobile version of the site invariably sucks. Either build a good mobile site, or give the regular damned site.

 

[purbeast0]

totally depends on the site.

home depots mobile site is awesome. i use it in the store all the time because it actually tells you what aisle the items and stuff are on. it's formatted really nicely.

 

[NFS4]

Suck donkey nuts. Ever since the introduction of the iPhone, mobile versions of websites should have been killed off. But no, they EXPLODED. WTF?

totally depends on the site.

home depots mobile site is awesome. i use it in the store all the time because it actually tells you what aisle the items and stuff are on. it's formatted really nicely.

There's an app for that which rocks...

 

[Ruptga]

You're welcome.

 

[trmiv]

totally depends on the site.

home depots mobile site is awesome. i use it in the store all the time because it actually tells you what aisle the items and stuff are on. it's formatted really nicely.

Yea I love that. I've been in the store and asked an employee where something was, and they had no clue. Broke out the the website, and it told me exactly where it was.

 

[DesiPower]

yahoo mail is the biggest culprit, those <creators of negative pressure around rooster using their oral orifice> wont allow you to load their full site on mobile devices, oven on a 10 inch table. AND their "app" is laden with advertizements, not only on the app but they will pop up line SMSs on the top of your screen. That the EFF, EFF off mofos.

 

[xanis]

I'm a UI/UX Designer and I design websites for a living (I do a lot of web applications).

A website built using competent designers and developers shouldn't have any of the issues posters here are describing; if you have people that know what they're doing, you should have a user experience that scales well between desktop and mobile and won't make you feel frustrated, or like you're missing things. The problem is, everyone and their mother thinks that they can just read some tutorials and be masters of responsive design and user experience, and those are the people that are responsible for the large number of crappy mobile sites that you see.

It takes a little more thought than, "I'll just use Bootstrap and make my site work on phones"; you have to really think about the use cases and think about user needs. For example, if I'm looking at a restaurant website on my phone, I likely don't care about pictures or the owner's story... I want the hours, address, menu, and maybe a link to OpenTable. A lot of sites just try to cram all of their desktop version's content into the mobile one, which obviously doesn't work because of the screen size.

In my professional opinion, here are a few sites that I think are crafted well and provide a good mobile experience (Protip: Resize your browser window a couple times):

http://www.unitedpixelworkers.com
http://www.squarespace.com
http://www.starbucks.com
http://www.wordpress.com

In summary: Yes, there are a boatload of terrible mobile sites out there, but I think people are starting to get with the program. Expect better quality mobile sites over the coming years.

 

[Gunbuster]

I just wish sites would get with the program and dump flash video players. I'm talking to you CNN...

 

[poofyhairguy]

http://xkcd.com/869/

 

[ultimatebob]

Even on a 5" phone, clicking links and buttons on a non mobile optimized site is a pain in the ass. I can only do so much pinch zooming before I go into smartphone rage.

Besides, a well designed site should automatically resize to any size screen nowadays.

 

[xanis]

Besides, a well designed site should automatically resize to any size screen nowadays.

It's called "being responsive" and yes, you're bang-on.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The "mobile site" thing is from the past when mobile browsers were rather limited, but now I think it's almost unnecessary. They are sometimes better, but often I find myself going to the normal version just because I know it better. There are some that are better though like the Youtube mobile version. In fact, I need to look at how to pull that up on a PC, probably some extension where you can spoof the user agent for a single site. The standard Youtube sucks monkey balls but the Mobile one is actually usable.

Though I suppose the mobile version thing is also for people who are using data. Those versions will save on bandwidth.

 

[mikegg]

It's called "being responsive" and yes, you're bang-on.

Responsive design using CSS3 and HTML5. Many websites are going this route.

 

[Oyeve]

You're welcome.

Thats so 4 years ago. does not apply.

 

[lxskllr]

I always use the full site on my 7" tablet. I hate mobile sites.