Hello everyone,
We’ve been thinking more and more about whether it would be a good idea to create a mobile optimized version of MyBandTheme. As you probably know, more and more people are browsing the net from their smartphones. This has some implications on both the design and content of websites due the the small screen, slower processor, and slower bandwidth of smartphones.
The way people browse the web from their smartphones is also important. When browsing on cell phones, most people are looking for something very specific, like an address, phone number, or a very specific piece of information. Mobile optimization of standard information oriented sites is a no brainer.
But with bands and artist websites, the design of the site communicates the image of the band. The full image of a band cannot be conveyed on mobile optimized versions of sites on smartphones.
We would like to ask your opinion on the subject, so please
read this post carefully, leave a comment and vote on the poll.
Smartphone display of MyBandTheme
To get an understanding of what we are talking about exactly, check out the images below. On the first image, you can see how MyBandTheme powered sites appear on cell phone at present, and the 2nd and 3rd images depict how a mobile optimized version might appear (naturally the logo would the your band’s logo 
, not the theme logo ).
Full site render
As you can see on the image below, presently MyBandTheme sites are displayed on mobile devices exactly the same as on PCs. All elements of the sites work, since we don’t use any Flash in the theme.
Mobile optimized render
These are just sample mobile mockups to give you an idea of what a mobile optimized version of your site would look like. Notice that with the exception of the logo, all design elements are stripped to optimize for the small screen, smaller processor, and smaller bandwidth of mobile devices. You can see how the full site version is more graphic, and the mobile version is more phone app-ish.
Pros and cons of both worlds
+ Best communication of image
+ Consistency
+ Most large bands don’t have mobile optimized versions
- Slower load times – around 11 sec at present on a 3G Samsung Galaxy (Android) and 3G iPhone (iOs)
+ Fast loading time
- Less communication of image
Where does the music industry stand?
While some artists have created mobile optimized versions of their websites (here is a list), it is still not the norm. Most of the biggest bands and artists do not have a mobile optimized site.
I’m not sure whether this is due the management teams not dealing with this subject, or a concrete decision not to create a mobile optimized version. Does anyone know the marketing guy for Metallica so we can ask? 
What do you think?
Please leave your opinion on the subject below, and vote on the poll on the right.
Just to make it more dramatic, know that your opinion counts, and will shape the next phase of the development of MyBandTheme.
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18 Responses to “Poll: Optimize MyBandTheme for mobile?”
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It would be great to have the option to disable the media quiery/stylesheet in the admin panel.
Not only should you have a mobile optimized, it should be touch and tablet friendly too… especially with people who want to listen on those devices.
I would like to see a mobile version for sure and asked about this in the past. I could always install my own widget, but would like to see the same quality customization and code that was put into the MyBand templates. Plus, there is always the option to switch back to desktop version whereas now, there is no mobile option. Thanks!
Mobile Theme would be great thanks – ideally interface independent (so it doesn’t try to impersonate an iphone even when viewed on an Android) and with the option to customise things via the CSS if we wanted to make other tweaks and afect only the mobile version and not the desktop.
Mobile optimisation would be good if it rang alongside full site.. a lot have sites can detect mobile devices and load optimised templates.. definitely the way to go
I think a responsive layout, with controls for css media queries in the parameters would off the best of both worlds. The current site renders great on smartphones but does not lend itself to finger size input. Dedicated mobile sites in my opinion cause a disconnect in the over user experience. A seamless experience is a boon for an establishing indie brand.
I think a mobile site would be great, as long as a viewer easily has the option to view the desktop version instead. Makes for faster browsing which is important.
with out a doubt, we need a mobile version of the theme. i have looked for some already and they all stink and don’t work well with our theme. the most important thing to me is consistency, i would like them to look as similar as possible. also, hopefully the mobile version can take all the information from the full site so i don’t have to enter my shows again. everybody i know has a phone that looks up shows and locations for bands and integration with the big site would be great. other than that, the theme is great, i love working with it and i hope you guys keep improving like you have been in the past.
thanks for everything,
johnny b
I really prefer the Mobile optimized website. It’s faster, it’s more simple.
To echo what was said above, a template that would seamlessly go from full site to mobile optimized version automatically and of course the option to go to fullsite version from a mobile device at any time. It seems to me an inevitable move.
I think the need to have something optimized for mobile/tablet devices is a no-brainer, and is really the wrong question. Of course, we should be optimized for mobile. Here is a definitely a case where the devil is in the details. How would a mobile/tablet version of this theme actually function?
Having seen our site from my iPod touch, I’m surprised by how good it looks and works as is. The biggest problem that I could tell is with navigation – the drop down menu deal doesn’t work on touch screens. I’ve worked around it by having a “mobile” link on the main nav bar that goes to a full site map page.
What would be ideal to me would be if the mobile version: 1. Resized the featured window to accomodate the smaller screen. It works surprisingly well now, but perhaps an artist would want to adjust the image for a smaller screen, rather than just have the whole thing go mini.
2. Have a button that expanded into a navigation menu, like the sidebar button on facebook’s mobile app. That would be *perfect*. Then the graphic look of the site could stay intact and it could be easier to navigate on mobile/tablet devices. I’m not sure how that would program, and if we’re getting into designing the theme as a mobile app template, and to what degree that line is being blurred anyway.
But that’s my two cents and then some.
Yes! I agree
I think having a choice between mobile and normal is just what the theme needs. Go for it!
Going mobile is the obvious choice for me, you have to keep up with the times. I have created mobile versions of other websites I own. Hope this helps and thanks for a great theme…
In agreement with everyone here that mobile is the future and not to be optimized for mobile ( including advertising options) would be foolish.
Have to agree optimisation for mobile is a good thing … but the option to view the full version must be available and easily accessible. Nothing hacks me off more than a mobile optimised site that refuses to let me view the full version on my phone if I want it, or hides the option away somewhere unintuitive.
There are already mobile optimised themes for WP that run alongside the other themes and I have one running alongside MyBandTheme on the site at the moment … but the lack of a consistent across the two is jarring, plus the use of posts and categories rather than pages means that some of the site features (including the music player widget) are unavailable in the third party mobile theme.
Hello,
I do not expect many people will visit my website on their smart phones. We are not a performing band and I guess one would tend to use a small screen to catch up on news such as where a band may be performing. If someone visited my site to listen to my music however they might do so on the phone and if that is a popular use and it is taking too long to download a song, perhaps it might be good to modify content of the site to make a more convenient app. Perhaps for a bit more of a charge and if possible from a design point of view the artist could purchase both themes from you and the information for the for the phone web address (using a slightly different web address) could easily be culled from the main them. For example contact, music and upcoming events could be found at the web address for telephone visits and a more interactive website would be used at other times. Probably I’m altogether missing the point since I do not even own a cell phone.
Yes!
Quinn
Please look into making template Responsive. ALL trends and statistics are pointing towards mobile.