I finally got a Smartphone.  Three months later I’ve ventured into using Twitter on it, and then I started checking my websites.

It looks like I’m going to have to spend some time getting the Princelings site looking beautiful on all platforms.  I did have a short try with a new template during the Christmas period and got hopelessly lost with it.  I know Rebecca accessed one of the stories when I was doing that, so I’m glad she found it and managed to comment.  In theory I could probably try a dummy site to see how it looks, but once you start changing things…

What am I looking for in my blog theme that can work on all platforms?

  • The key word is responsive.  That’s the terminology for a website that will lay out differently for these different reading experiences – and turn sideways with the tablet or phone, etc.
  • Then I want to see the content, but I also want to navigate around the website (I find that difficult on the phone).
  • I also want my readers to see the books, how to follow me, and maybe some other key messages.

So I have to think carefully about the must haves that might go in front of the content when a reader finds me on their phone (the most stripped down form).  Fortunately I can now check that.  Some theme previews allow you to choose which platform to view it on.  So now, it’s not just “does my website look good?” it’s “does my website look good whatever way my readers want to view it?”

And for now, my answer is, ‘Not yet”.  But it will be.

And while we’re talking technology.  I have a problem with most of my sites in that some zombies have got in there and attached themselves to files, way beyond my capability to find and remove.  I’ve stopped things getting worse by installing Wordfence on them all.  But it does cause Error messages every now and then – which should disappear if you just reload the page.  It’s something I attend to every now and then to see if I can find another solution, other than starting a new website from scratch (and not importing the old content and comments as they probably have the infection in them).

Last week my blog stopped working and I couldn’t get into it.  It turned out that a security plug-in had failed to install its update properly.  A ticket to my web host not only fixed that quickly, but pointed me in a direction of a virus checker on their hosting system! I’m still working on that too.

You start writing books and discover you have to turn into a computer guru – and a business manager and marketing expert.  That sounds like a whole new blog post.

PS Today’s the day (allegedly) for the sign-ups to open for A to Z Challenge 2015.  I don’t know what time, though. a-to-zchallenge.com

Websites on screens, tablets and phones
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13 thoughts on “Websites on screens, tablets and phones

  • 26 January, 2015 at 6:14 am
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    I don’t know when or if I’ll ever get a smart phone or if i’m smart enough to use one. It’s good that you’re checking those kinds of things about your blogs. A lot of people use smart phones now.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    • 26 January, 2015 at 12:11 pm
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      I look at all the things on this phone and think, “Why would I want to do that on my phone?” But I do find retweeting tweets and seeing who’s been in contact really good – much better than in my browser! But writing messages is a pain for someone who types fast and doesn’t like having to spell out messages one finger at a time!

      And the A-toZ sign up list is OPEN!!

      How could I have doubted you <3

  • 26 January, 2015 at 8:43 am
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    Oh, wow. I know as a pre-published author that I’m going to have to get a website eventually ( and probably sooner rather than later) but I had no clue that it would show up differently depending on which device a person was using to access it. *rolls eyes* I see I’m going to have to enlist the help of my computer-genius son when I finally make the leap. Wish me luck.

    • 26 January, 2015 at 12:15 pm
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      I think the key for people like us is to keep it simple. I got way too carried away on my Princelings site (and probably this one, but that’s easier to fix). The Viridian site looks fantastic to me, and uses one of the WordPress standard themes, I think. But I haven’t got much on it yet. Something I have to think about. 🙂

      I haven’t checked my blogspot site, come to think of it. Must do that.

      Good luck, Suzanne!

  • 26 January, 2015 at 1:57 pm
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    I’ve never thought about this, and as an acknowledged digital idiot who totally resents have to spend time on technology, this was not a reassuring post! But thanks for the head up!

    • 26 January, 2015 at 2:33 pm
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      I’ll take a look at yours when the phone finishes charging (rolls eyes).

        • 26 January, 2015 at 6:02 pm
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          Your blog looks fine on my phone, Noelle. It shows all the posts, then goes to your two book covers, then your contact details, then your badges. I’m not sure how I’d navigate around anything else, but I didnt have my reading glasses on to look in more detail!

          • 26 January, 2015 at 6:50 pm
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            Well, that’s a relief. Thanks so much and good luck with your quest into digital land!

  • 26 January, 2015 at 4:55 pm
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    An excellent point! I would Rush to check mine, but the spouse took the smart phone to work (that is why we got it. But he forgets half the time so I had some hope!).

    Yours all look great on the iPad!

    • 26 January, 2015 at 6:10 pm
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      Yours looks great on my phone. I think what I said to Susanne applies – keep it simple and it works fine (I have been to my blogspot one already – I bookmarked it – and it works well)

      Princelings should look ok now I’ve let the Home page be the posts without any fancy stuff. If you click on ‘News home’ you get the fancy stuff!

  • 26 January, 2015 at 4:59 pm
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    I’m impressed–you are #63 in the signups! I managed to make it into the first 200 🙂

    • 26 January, 2015 at 6:53 pm
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      One advantage of being 4 hours ahead of EST and 8 hours ahead of you 🙂

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