What does the error message about mobile options mean?

[Cyathea]

When I clicked on the mobile icon to see what the site would look like on a cell phone, I got this message:  "This is a responsive theme, mobile options do not apply."  Does this message mean the site won't be accessible on cell phones?

The image that's shown looks fine; I'd be happy with that appearing on the cell phone.  

[WebfireThemes · Accepted solution]

Hi Cyathea

Not at all..

The button you're clicking is the button that used to be used for creating the mobile version of your website (before themes were all responsive)... It isn't so much a preview, but a "mobile version" of the website builder.

That view is not available on responsive themes because there is nothing you need to do on a mobile device.

Responsive websites mean they adjust their layout, size and positioning in accordance with the screen size, so not only does it look a lot better as most styling is retained, it also means that you don't need to go to the hassle of building the site twice (once for mobile devices and once for desktops).

I'd normally recommend publishing your site to a dummy domain and checking it out before you "go live"

If however it is an existing site you're updating... i'd suggest copying the site, and then publishing the copy to a free weebly domain. you can then see what it looks like

Hope this was insightful.

[Cyathea]

Thank you so much!  That was very helpful and makes me happy.  

What is a "dummy" domain?  I get a free domain for one year, but haven't activated it yet.  I'd rather not give the free domain a name just yet.  Is the dummy domain anything different from that?  I'd just like to see how it looks.

[WebfireThemes]

Sorry Cynthia

by dummy domain i was referring to a domain that you aren't gonig to keep. as Weebly gives you a free domain (http://something.weebly.com) i would publish to a free weebly domain then once you're happy republish to your real domain.

[Cyathea]

Thanks!

[cartersstudios]

I am not happy at all with the way my website looks on a mobile device, so what you are saying is that if I want it to look better on mobiel then I have to change the ENTIRE site because there are no mobile options with this "responsive" theme.  And becasue I am using designer platform i also have NO access to third party apps to help me with this problem!!! Correct??

[Bernadette3]

I'm really sorry about this @cartersstudios. I updated the other post you commented on, but you are correct in saying that you do not have access to apps at this time. Is there a certain element in particular that you do not like on mobile?

[VizardPR]

i too am having problems with the mobile site. We have header images with verbiage in them and they look terrible on the mobile version. So I can't do anything about it? Maybe create the image with verbiage in photoshop as one stock image? Please help!

[Adam7]

Is your text currently a part of the image itself, or just added on top with a text element @VizardPR?

[aorquiz]

Hi! Also curious about a response to this question. I love my website layout on a desk screen but when I switch over to mobile, almost everything is out of place. Any suggestions or help? Thanks!

[Adam7]

How do you have your content organized into columns? All of the content in one column will always stack on top of all the content in the column to the right of it. You might need to move content into its own set of columns elements so that it will stack in ways that make sense on smaller screens.

[JamesFul]

So basically we are not able to actually edit on how the site is dispayed to the user? 

[Bernadette3]

Hi and thanks for posting! No, it's not possible to edit the mobile view separate from the desktop view. The themes are responsive and will adapt to the screen size. 

[jtapp]

I am a bit annoyed because, due to colour conflicts in background and text, my mobile website looks terrible. I have set up my desktop to look great in this format but the mobile doesnt lay properly. if I could just do a small edit to the mobile option, it would look great but you're saying this option was removed for some reason.

That is very disappointing.

[Bernadette3]

Thanks for providing your feedback. I'm sorry to hear the theme is not working on mobile for you. The theme you are using is an older theme, and is not responsive. I recommend updating your theme to have a more streamlined desktop/mobile experience. 

Before changing the theme under Themes>Change Theme, I recommend first making a copy of your site by clicking the dropdown in the top right corner of the dashboard. You can practice changing themes on the copy site so that you can get an idea of how much editing you will need to do to the live site before making an updated publish.