Mobile Friendly

I have read dozens of threads about this and I still don't know how to go about it. I have a few questions that may help me understand better. Question #1... Do ZenCart mobile templates, like the ones by picaflor-azul0 (search 'mobile friendly' on ZC Forum to view templates), work in addition to my existing website, and those mobile templates only 'show up' on mobile devices? I don't fully understand exactly what those templates are. Question #2... Google, more or less, TELLS me what I need to do, and even offer some code to put into my CSS file, video tutorial, etc...... but, many instructions that I have followed from Google Webmasters tools aren't necessarily working,,, so,, Question #2, can I simply 'add' code to my CSS File, etc (along the lines of Google Webmasters instructions,,,, or not), & modify the physical look of my site, and make my device Mobile Friendly? Google says the ranking of my site, ON mobile devices, will reflect my 'mobile friendly' appearance; which, pretty-much means they won't show my site in a search result from a mobile device. That's not good. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks

PS. Will this help, and what exactly will it do? Thanks!! http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?215883-How-can-I-add-a-mobile-tag-into-every-page

Johnnycopilot:

Question #1... Do ZenCart mobile templates, like the ones by picaflor-azul work in addition to my existing website, and those mobile templates only 'show up' on mobile devices?

Picaflor-azul (Anne) responsive templates are NOT in addition to your current template.

They are just that.... responsive to the device... ie: your website changes appearance depending upon desktop, tablet or mobile device and then Portrait or Landscape orientation.

If you look at any of her demo installations on different devices, you will see how they are intended to function. Try one, you will probably like it.

To be as effective as possible across MOST mobile devices, a dedicated responsive template is necessary. It's quite a complex and detailed arena, so you can't just add a few lines of css or jscript and hope your existing template will behave on all devices.

The look of an ecommerce site today is moving rapidly towards minimalism. Get rid of all superfluous distractions - particularly on the home page, product info pages and the shopping cart and checkout pages. You want a site that loads superfast, takes the customer quickly to the products they are after, and enables rapid and easy checkout.

People who use mobile devices are by nature people seeking speed and convenience - essentially, they're "lazy", so you need to play to this psychology. If you make things very simple, fast and focused, you'll keep them happy. We convert over 90% of our visitors to a sale and believe that it's the ease of our sites that help to achieve this.

About 62% of our customers shop with us using mobiles, and of that number, about 78% are using Apple and most of the remainder android - but we get quite a few people on Blackberry as well.

Please tell me if this will work. Install new Zen Cart with a mobile-friendly Zen Template into a {new} folder in my main directory, and use my current Database as the Database for that new template. Then put code on my current site {in hedder text?} to re-direct small-device traffic to that other site with mobile template. Is that how it's done? Will that work? (I have Zen 1.5.0 ... will I have to upgrade to 1.5.4 if my new mobile-friendly version is to share the same database (assuming I use 1.5.4 on my new mobile version)?

Johnnycopilot:

Please tell me if this will work. Install new Zen Cart with a mobile-friendly Zen Template into a {new} folder in my main directory, and use my current Database as the Database for that new template. Then put code on my current site {in hedder text?} to re-direct small-device traffic to that other site with mobile template. Is that how it's done? Will that work? (I have Zen 1.5.0 ... will I have to upgrade to 1.5.4 if my new mobile-friendly version is to share the same database (assuming I use 1.5.4 on my new mobile version)? I personally hate it when sites force you to a "mobile" site.

imo: Much better to have a "responsive" site instead

gilby:

I personally hate it when sites force you to a "mobile" site.

imo: Much better to have a "responsive" site instead I don't like it when that happens either, but making my site mobile responsive isn't an option for me at this time. Perhaps in the near future I can make my site responsive, but I need to do this now. Do you know if the way I was thinking about doing it will work? Thanks :)

Johnnycopilot:

Please tell me if this will work. Install new Zen Cart with a mobile-friendly Zen Template into a {new} folder in my main directory, and use my current Database as the Database for that new template. Then put code on my current site {in hedder text?} to re-direct small-device traffic to that other site with mobile template. Is that how it's done? Will that work? (I have Zen 1.5.0 ... will I have to upgrade to 1.5.4 if my new mobile-friendly version is to share the same database (assuming I use 1.5.4 on my new mobile version)?

This is not generally how it's done, no. A 'mobile-friendly Zen Template', ie a responsive template is all you need. Install the new template on your current site, make the necessary edits to carry over any customization made to your current template into the new one. Done.

Now your single Zen Cart installation will work on desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

jeking:

This is not generally how it's done, no. A 'mobile-friendly Zen Template', ie a responsive template is all you need. Install the new template on your current site, make the necessary edits to carry over any customization made to your current template into the new one. Done.

Now your single Zen Cart installation will work on desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
Thanks, I understand exactly what you are saying, and why you are saying it, but at the same time I'm slightly confused. What's going on when I go to a website on my mobile device, and when I type in anywebsite.com , my phone is redirected to m.anywebsite.com? I don't want to change my website (for home computers) if I don't have to. I have worked many hours to get it like I want. I mean, how are the other sites doing that? Thanks!!

Johnnycopilot:

Thanks, I understand exactly what you are saying, and why you are saying it, but at the same time I'm slightly confused. What's going on when I go to a website on my mobile device, and when I type in anywebsite.com , my phone is redirected to m.anywebsite.com? I don't want to change my website (for home computers) if I don't have to. I have worked many hours to get it like I want. I mean, how are the other sites doing that? Thanks!!

There are a few different ways your site may be redirecting mobile devices to m.anywebsite.com You'll need to figure out what method your site is using and disable it. A responsive template does not redirect to a different url. Start with the author of your mobile template. They should be able to tell you how they set-up for the redirect to occur.

jeking:

There are a few different ways your site may be redirecting mobile devices to m.anywebsite.com You'll need to figure out what method your site is using and disable it. A responsive template does not redirect to a different url. Start with the author of your mobile template. They should be able to tell you how they set-up for the redirect to occur.
Thanks. I can figure out the redirect part, I just want to know if the way I mentioned above will work. I want to know how to build a completely different mobile site; or more specifically, the best way to do it.

Johnnycopilot:

Thanks. I can figure out the redirect part, I just want to know if the way I mentioned above will work. I want to know how to build a completely different mobile site; or more specifically, the best way to do it.

schoolboy:

a dedicated responsive template is necessary.

jeking:

This is not generally how it's done, no.

As stated above, no. The 'best way' is to use a responsive template.

Thanks, I really do appreciate your advice; I'm sure it's good advice, but as stated above, that's not an option for me. Anybody know how I can make a separate site (with a dedicated mobile responsive template) using my current database, but leave my current website alone? Is that possible?

Johnnycopilot:

Thanks, I really do appreciate your advice; I'm sure it's good advice, but as stated above, that's not an option for me. Anybody know how I can make a separate site (with a dedicated mobile responsive template) using my current database, but leave my current website alone? Is that possible?

That is a very bad idea as far as google is concerned.

You really need to just convert your current site to a responsive design.

Thanks,

Anne

I guess I will ask the question here that no one has touched on,
Why do you think that a responsive template wont work for your site? Why is that not an option, Not picking just trying to get more detailed info so these good folks can happen

Sorry it's taken so long to get back with everyone, and I really do appreciate the input and advice. I'm sure that a responsive template will work for my site, that's not the problem. I don't have time to redo my site right now. I have, among other things, Ceon Advanced Shipper, M.A.P. Pricing, Apsona ShopAdmin, several other plugins, and I have spent countless hours getting my showbook page to display like I want. I don't understand PHP, so most of the time I must refer to help for changes. I know the problems that I ran into when implementing many of those plugins and changes, and when I upgrade and/or go to another template I can foresee dozens and dozens of hours trying to get this all set back up, and I simply don't have the time for that right now. I must have advanced shipper because the shipping origin on many of my products (especially larger items) are spread across the nation. I must have M.A.P. Pricing. If I build a mobile responsive site in another folder, and it doesn't work with my other site, I've only lost a few hours, and I'm no worse off than I am right now. I want to build a mobile friendly site, for temporary, without some of the features I currently have in my main site, and hope for the best with pricing and shipping if someone purchases from me on a mobile device. Furthermore, I'm confused as to why people are telling me that what I want to do will not work when practically half of the websites on the internet are set up like that. Walmart.com, Sears.com, Tigerdirect.com,.. the list goes on and on with either 'm.website.com' or 'mobile.website.com' . It's probably some reason that I won't understand anyway. ha.. I know those sites aren't ZenCart, and I certainly mean NO disrespect to anyone here. I know that Y'all know infinitely more than I do about website design, ZenCart, Google, etc.. All I want to do is install a responsive template in another folder, redirect my main site to that folder, using the same database, until I get time to rebuild my main site with a single, mobile responsive template. At which time I plan on having only ONE website, like Anne, jeking, and everyone else has suggested. I'm looking for a temporary fix until the end of summer.. Unless it works great, then I'll roll with what's working. If this will not work, as suggested, then this is the end of it, and I'll have to wait until the end of summer to redo my main site. Does that explain what my dilemma is? I'm still open for anyone to say anything or make any suggestions. I know I sound very hard-headed about this, but I am. ha.. Not really; I just don't have time to try and mess with my site right now and risk messing it up. Thanks everyone!!!!

Ok, now lets expand on my last question? Why do you think that you would have to redo all those modules if you add a responsive template?

Download the Responsive DIY Template Default for 1.5.x

Take a look at it and see what makes it responsive, it was built and I have personally used it to convert many templates to responsive ones in less than 1 hour.

Just MO

Johnnycopilot:

I'm sure that a responsive template will work for my site, that's not the problem. I don't have time to redo my site right now.

Merlinpa1969:

Ok, now lets expand on my last question? Why do you think that you would have to redo all those modules if you add a responsive template?
I tried some other templates that I (already) have installed, and the major plugin's that I checked still seem to work, which is great. I really feel stupid that I didn't realize my installed plugins may work, but I still don't have time to set up a new template .. at least not now. I actually tried a different template and had some other problems with layout, etc. and just figured that I would have to re-install plugins for every template. I'm glad you made me realize that I don't have to do that for many of my plugins. I am definitely going to check out what rbarbor suggested. Thanks, and I'll try to find one of Anne's templates (she has some very nice ones) and install one if I can't get the responsive DIY Template to work. I know the people that have responded to this thread really know their ZenCart stuff, and I really appreciate everyone's input so far, trying to help me, and get me going in the best direction.

rbarbour:

Download the Responsive DIY Template Default for 1.5.x

Take a look at it and see what makes it responsive, it was built and I have personally used it to convert many templates to responsive ones in less than 1 hour.

Just MO
Thanks rbarbour, this seems to be what I am looking for. Question. I read the description, but don't fully understand exactly what this will do. Will this change the appearance of my site on a (regular) sized computer screen? I mean, the CSS tweeks and stuff, are those just needed for viewing on the mobile size screens? I just don't want to get in over my head, and anytime there's an SQL upload, I get a little out of my league. Anyway, let me know what you can, and I appreciate the advice and link!

First let me try to explain the differences:

Mobile Template = A mobile website is a separate version of your desktop website and it is designed to be used exclusively on smartphone devices.

Responsive Template = A responsive designed website is a website designed for use on desktops, tablets and smartphones.

If you do not have the time to maintain (upgrade) your current template, adding a Mobile Template will mean you will now have 2 templates to maintain.

Go Responsive!

All the templates I offer ARE responsive, I do believe all Anne's templates offered here on Zen-Cart uses my Responsive DIY Template Default CSS framework as well, I haven't had much time to keep up with the Zen-Cart forum so I may be wrong.

What the Responsive DIY Template Default CSS framework was built for....

1.) Creates a Responsive Template as a starting point for those designing their own website templates.

2.) Allows one to easily adapt the HTML necessary to convert an existing website template.
a.) The included CSS framework does the magic! :smile:

3.) Includes google Mobile Detect which allows Mobile users to view Full Website (desktop version) if they choose too.

4.) Includes php and css code to hide sideboxes on mobile devices which would otherwise clutter screen and slow loads.

Johnnycopilot:

Will this change the appearance of my site on a (regular) sized computer screen? I mean, the CSS tweeks and stuff, are those just needed for viewing on the mobile size screens? I just don't want to get in over my head

The CSS is designed to make your template fit the screen size but has included code to restrict the templates width to a fixed px.

So if your desktop monitor is 1024 wide, the template will fill the screen but if your current template was designed with a fixed with of 980px, simply un-commenting 1 line of CSS code and adding your templates width is all that is needed from preventing it from filling the entire screen.

CSS tweeks will most likely be needed, I couldn't account for every template designers added HTML divs, tables and code. Most tweeks will involve removing "fixed widths" or "forced widths (!important)".

Johnnycopilot:

and anytime there's an SQL upload, I get a little out of my league.

The SQL patches include:

1.) Activation - This was included only to keep Zen-Cart stock code (tables) intact, once activated it removes the tables and replaces with divs

2.) Adds a show@minWidth option to the layout box controller in ADMIN so you can hide individual side boxes on mobile devices

3.) Adds configuration to offer different views for different devices

• mobile users can view full non-responsive version
• tablet users can view mobile version or full non-responsive version
• is an optional sql patch but some mobile or tablet visitors prefer to view the full site

The Responsive DIY Template Default CSS framework is also GOOGLE RECOGNIZED as a Mobile Site, **right now Google indexes sites and adds Mobile friendly - before the sites description **, GOOGLE has plans to exclude non Mobile friendly site from search results for mobile users to speed up GOOGLE results on mobile devices in near future.

While Google supports multiple mobile site configurations, creating separate mobile URLs greatly increases the amount of work required to maintain and update your site, and introduces possible sources of technical problems. You can often simplify things significantly by using responsive web design (RWD) and serving desktop and mobile on the same URL! Responsive web design is Google’s recommended configuration. Google Source

Everyone here will give you good advice (but different) advice on how to proceed.

I will advise this, if you plan to DIY:

-Create a sub-directory and upload the latest version of zen-cart to it.

-With a fresh copy of your current template package, merge the The Responsive DIY Template Default code

-Upload your newly coded template

-Install easyPopulate or a comparable plugin and upload your categories and products

-Activate your template and see what CSS tweeks will be needed

This will:

A) familiarize you with the files that need merging
B) give you an idea of what CSS tweeks will be needed

If you do that and get stuck, share a link and I'm positive that someone or myself will chime in and help!

From there you can start uploading your plugins, all of which you listed, I don't see any major appearance issues that will need CSS tweeks, I cannot say they are or will be compatible with the latest version of zen-cart though.

Hope this helps and is not overwhelming!