@webolut I am not sure if you are aware of it, but we are talking about WIX websites and WIX editor, and unfortunately - they are NOT delivering a responsive design . Therefore, there is no meaning to take the desktop version as a baseline since it will not work as a responsive environment to be translated into the multi-devices and screen sizes which the viewers use.
Since WIX architecture simply offer 2 variation of the site – one for Desktop and one for Mobile (regardless of the screen size the viewer has) and it is not a true responsive environment, my best advice is to allow us to at least design the mobile experience with its set in stone dimensions with much more freedom of editing, rather then relay on a desktop version.
In regards to “light version” – you might refer to the weight of the code and graphic elements, but I am not referring to that at all, I am referring to the “light in function” – not light in weight of files and code. The function of the mobile editor is very light – you barely can do with it anything other then “revise” the set in stone desktop version and change text size, images etc – but have no way to break free and have a proper powerful editor for mobile devices.
@hidemitakagi I have to agree with Konstantinos in part here…what you are saying simply takes more time and thus is more expensive to make. If you can afford it, then great, no problem. But browser detection is not so simple on a platform like Wix, so if that’s your plan then I would recommend building from scratch for best results.
I would say for the majority of people’s budgets, one site version that is backwards compatible is highly preferrable to multiple versions routed based on device. It’s much more practical.
@skmedia I wouldn’t go that far with multiple version of the site delivering to the different devices, I would just suggest to have a true responsive environment for both desktop and mobile.
If we can not create a true responsive environment due to the nature of how WIX works, then at least allow us to design one version for mobile and one version for desktop which can then work as a “semi-responsive” environment when at least we tried to customize it to the “right device” if not for the exact device dimensions and os.
From what I’m aware wix will release an update soon about the responsiveness. Fingers crossed is the update we are have been waiting for and finally get rid of the grid lines on desktop.
@webolut Praise the Lord if they do, I will be going to church on that Sunday to personaly thank the universe for their course correction on that issue!
Seems we all want/need different things for different reasons. A site like mine needs all the features and functions to operate on all devices, and since getting my head around the editor (been using WIX for 10yrs) my mobile traffic has gone from 25% to 80%, desktop is 12% tablets 8%
If purely an info site or ecommerce, I see the advantages, but a heavy database site or subscription & member based site, I think wix has it well sorted.
To have an on/off switch to give you the freedom you’re after would be a good thing, if they can make it happen, with the changes I’ve seen over the years, I think it’ll come.
yes, I think we all have different needs but overall we all need a simple solution for the lack of responsiveness and ability to work on the mobile site a bit more freely.
Hi everybody!
I’m a Product Manager in the Editor and came across this fascinating discussion. I read all your comments and it is interesting to hear your opinions, needs and wishes. Some of the people here pointed that the mobile editor has been evolved during the years and many capabilities were added to the mobile customization. Well, I guess this is a good place for me to hear what is still missing for you in the mobile solution of Wix?
You can point out:
Design related features
Mobile device related behaviours
Layout related features
Apps related features
Or anything you have in mind that you wish you could do on Wix mobile solution
Multiple devices to test how it looks. e.g. Samsung Galaxy Fold, Iphone X, just for a few examples.
Customizing the layout of things like the Wix Members area. (the last time I checked it wasn’t possible)
If we could have templates in the mobile editor that we can lock the mobile version of the site to until we’re ready to edit the mobile version.
Scenario: needing to do a quick touch up on the desktop version and then make it live without having to edit the mobile site, rather than it taking place on the mobile site as well.
You as a developer for a client work on their site and create it as always with the desktop version and make sure everything pretty much follows suit on the mobile as we do now. linked in a way and the design of the desktop will not affect the design of the mobile any longer.
In other words, in my mind - mobile-first approach - the most important version of most of the commercial websites these days, needs to be 100% independent from anything on the desktop site.
CUT THE CORD INITIATIVE means the ability – not for everyone but for whoever is serious about their mobile version of the site - to be able to switch off that desktop “control” over what the mobile version do and look like.
Imagine the following scenario:
You as a developer for a client work on their site and create it as always with the desktop version and make sure everything is pretty much follow suit on the mobile as we do now.
Once you are done with the desktop version and it is time to do the real important work, the mobile version site - you SWITCH OFF the connection with the desktop site forever - you cut that cord forever - and start develop out of the basic mobile site with all its limitations a beautiful mobile experience with a completely new set of graphics, buttons style, interactions etc etc etc.
Give us the freedom to design the mobile version as we have the freedom to design the desktop version - is all I ask — as for the details and extra functionality as I see others before me suggested, its all good, we can enhance the editor even more once the cord is cut and we can work free of the desktop “ball and chain” version.
Yes, your point is clear. Can you please send me an example of such a site which you built or you know that the mobile site is independent of the desktop? It will help me understand better how to serve such a solution. Thanks.
Check) it on desktop and on mobile. As you can see, although the mobile is going along the desktop design in terms of contents, each element is design slightly different to match mobile experience better.
If I can summarize the concept is that of course the mobile site needs to match in content the desktop but the very details of how it is been implemented for mobile do not need to be derived from the desktop object.
What I wonder is, will it be that hard to have such a switch that will “disconnect” the mobile site from the desktop version and allow us to develop the mobile site without the need to “manage each item” from he desktop version?
Imagine if WIX had such a capability - how attractive that will be compare to many other platforms.
Thinking outside the box and not trying to follow other platforms is the way to go. We know WIX is doing a very good job in terms of desktop/mobile variations - but it has that problem with been fully responsive. Instead of trying too hard to make it responsive while been desktop to mobile dependent, simply cut the cord between the two versions of the site and allow full control over the mobile version to allow creating unique mobile experience is my way of thinking the best way to go forward.
Once we have this switch - we can start work on enhancing the mobile editor specifically for mobile experience with features which are aimed at mobile experience and touchscreens rather then mouse and clicks.
@idan-cohen Browsers typically assume the same CSS rules when you switch to mobile inspector, so you would still need to append the showmobileview url query in order to see it correctly. At the very least, I think a tablet view and large/small monitor view are necessary. Many people edit their site for a large screen and are surprised when looking at it on a smaller/lower res counterpart to see things cut off.
One small feature which I would love to see is the ability to change photos in mobile independant from the photo used in the desktop version. It is something I find so hard to deal with since as you can imagine, using horizontal images on desktop is a nightmare to deal with when it is used on the mobile version.
