Dudamobile vs Custom Coded Mobile Sites

Anyone here using dudamobile as part of their web development / seo / whatsoever service?
I find it very easy to use, very interesting and low-cost startup.

However, what really got me worried is that after the site is 'mobilized'. They will need to enter a script onto their existing site,
in order for it to work. I am wondering how many biz owners actually know how to do this.

And about the domain; it will be something like m.domain.com
Does that mean the owner will also need to know how to create a subdomain and change the DNS and stuff?

As for custom coded, I see many WSO and other sellers on themeforest selling it for just a few bucks.
They sure require more time to customize and setup, but does not require any monthly fees etc. Most of all,
they can be setup 'on my server', so I can act as a host myself.

Whats your opinion on this? Thanks

I'm going custom coded and have been getting pretty good results. I use Twitter's Bootstrap and have been rather pleased.

Bump. Looking for more opinion on this. Thanks

I think there are many services like dudamobile that offer free mobile websites but i think the custom one makes more sense...

abhi007 said:

I think there are many services like dudamobile that offer free mobile websites but i think the custom one makes more sense...

Click to expand...

Great point. I am not trying to say dudamobile is best (due to its price)
but I think one of the biggest advantage it offers is 'speed. - meaning it takes literally less than 10 min MAX, to show him a preview of what his/her site will look like on mobile,
and if he likes it. it then takes literally less than 20 mins to set things up.

However, one of the disadvantage of it (that I can think of now), is that the owner will need to install the redirection script himself/herself, or contact someone that knows how,
assuming he doesnt want me to access his existing site info.

creativepotion said:

However, one of the disadvantage of it (that I can think of now), is that the owner will need to install the redirection script himself/herself, or contact someone that knows how,
assuming he doesnt want me to access his existing site info.

Click to expand...

Shouldn't there be a redirect script regardless of what method you use to make the site? If you use a custom site you would still want mobile visitors to be sent to the mobile site. If you are hosting the mobile sites yourself the business owner doesn't need to set up a subdomain, but you should still forward mobile visitors to the mobile site.

Most business owners I've dealt with in regards to this have someone who handles stuff like this for them, I just email them the script.

d1129 said:

Shouldn't there be a redirect script regardless of what method you use to make the site? If you use a custom site you would still want mobile visitors to be sent to the mobile site. If you are hosting the mobile sites yourself the business owner doesn't need to set up a subdomain, but you should still forward mobile visitors to the mobile site.

Most business owners I've dealt with in regards to this have someone who handles stuff like this for them, I just email them the script.

Click to expand...

Its true, no matter going with dudamobile or custom mobile design solution, both needs redirection. Thats a good point.
I guess I was just overthinking about the entire situation. Anyhow, further inputs will be appreciated.

All mobile sites will need a redirect script placed on the desktop version. You can get someone on fiverr to do this for one gig if you don't want to do it yourself.

Dudamobile gives you a mobile version of their site in 15 seconds. A minute or two more to check
the phone and add the button for address/directions. I've had a couple of clients say "our web developer
will do it." After a rediculous quote, they have me do it. Look at the bottom of their site for any specials
for "affiliate" or "reseller". Why do a site from scratch when you can show them a conversion of what they
know...their current site? I like GoMobi for scratch built. I do it through opensrs dot com. $95 to sign up,
then $2.50/mo. for each site. Very easy to use.

There's a great recent WSO "Mobile ATM". It's closed now, but will reopen soon. It gives you a quick first
mailing with a before and some "after". The upgrade (I missed it) has niche mobile examples. I am planning
on using that first, with a follow up of what Dudamobile gives you with a little work - their site before and after.
A third try will be a real letter with a PHOTO (CVS pharmacy 19 cent) of the Dudamobile before and after.

If they "don't care", say "By the way, do you know that Google gives your site a failing score?" Whatchamean? says
biz person. Google owns howtogomo dot com. Their site will fail 4 out of 5 factors. Also, mention Google is penalizing
sites in search engine results and raising pay per click rates for high bounce rates. "Your site on a mobile device has a
high bounce rate. Many people are leaving within 7 seconds."

I charge $177/year (costs me $72) with a guarantee of a 15% bump in phone calls. Duda has tracking. If they don't buy,
I'll email or call. "Try it for a month for free (they/you have to have the redirect code installed). My cost is either $6 or $8.
They will see from the Duda report the number calls and the address buttons pressed.

Dudamobile is good enough, unless you need some serious customization. In that case, you will need it custom coded.

If it's a Wordpress blog, then WP Touch is great.

Hope that helps!

derfall said:

Dudamobile gives you a mobile version of their site in 15 seconds. A minute or two more to check
the phone and add the button for address/directions. I've had a couple of clients say "our web developer
will do it." After a rediculous quote, they have me do it. Look at the bottom of their site for any specials
for "affiliate" or "reseller". Why do a site from scratch when you can show them a conversion of what they
know...their current site? I like GoMobi for scratch built. I do it through opensrs dot com. $95 to sign up,
then $2.50/mo. for each site. Very easy to use.

There's a great recent WSO "Mobile ATM". It's closed now, but will reopen soon. It gives you a quick first
mailing with a before and some "after". The upgrade (I missed it) has niche mobile examples. I am planning
on using that first, with a follow up of what Dudamobile gives you with a little work - their site before and after.
A third try will be a real letter with a PHOTO (CVS pharmacy 19 cent) of the Dudamobile before and after.

If they "don't care", say "By the way, do you know that Google gives your site a failing score?" Whatchamean? says
biz person. Google owns howtogomo dot com. Their site will fail 4 out of 5 factors. Also, mention Google is penalizing
sites in search engine results and raising pay per click rates for high bounce rates. "Your site on a mobile device has a
high bounce rate. Many people are leaving within 7 seconds."

I charge $177/year (costs me $72) with a guarantee of a 15% bump in phone calls. Duda has tracking. If they don't buy,
I'll email or call. "Try it for a month for free (they/you have to have the redirect code installed). My cost is either $6 or $8.
They will see from the Duda report the number calls and the address buttons pressed.

Click to expand...

Nice info and breakdown.
What if their site is so NOT seo-optimized, that they dont get any calls at all? (which i believe, this is quite common scenario).
In that case, calls probably wouldnt increase by 15%. I know the total investment is only $6 - $8. But how would you save a client like this?
Thanks.

bumping this. thanks

There are people who know the business and the website and want to call or get directions while mobile.
They may just give up and pull into the next restaurant, for example. Search results are another matter.

There have been some good WSO's on how to get clients. Look for the the ones advertising in Yellowbook, etc.
Or those on page one for "detroit electrician". A recent WSO (closed but will open again) is "mobile ATM". It's a
very good email system, but the OTO with a variety of sample niche mobile sites, makes for a quick email. A before
(their current site on a mobile mockup) vs. an example of a niche mobile site is shown. Dudamobile would be for
a follow up where you would really convert their site for a before and after. Third event is to put a photo (done at my
local CVS drugstore) in a letter with a before and after.

Even if their .com site is bringing 100 calls per month, a 15% bump, especially for an expensive service, or a customer that
might repeat visit, would be worth it. Even if it's a 10% bump in calls/visits, they aren't going to cancel the site.

Get them custom coded.
Generated mobile sites are often unreadable.

I have a major concern here regarding mobile website builder VS responsive technology that allows websites to be optimized for mobile devices as well as tablets. Can anyone advice me on the major benefit for pitching mobile websites for my clients over responsive websites? A previous customer of mine told me that his website is responsive and so its optimized enough for mobile devices...and that he prefers a "one fit all" solution instead of separate sites. Now this got me thinking...hmm.

So, why would anyone consider mobile website over a responsive site?

Thanks.

You are kinda limited with Duda. The best way is to code responsive or mobile.

kelvincuts said:

I have a major concern here regarding mobile website builder VS responsive technology that allows websites to be optimized for mobile devices as well as tablets. Can anyone advice me on the major benefit for pitching mobile websites for my clients over responsive websites? A previous customer of mine told me that his website is responsive and so its optimized enough for mobile devices...and that he prefers a "one fit all" solution instead of separate sites. Now this got me thinking...hmm.

So, why would anyone consider mobile website over a responsive site?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

with a purpose built mobile site, the business owner is buying a SECOND site to promote themselves specifically to mobile surfers whereas the responsive theme is merely a shrinkable version of their desk top site which may be difficult to navigate but either way, certainly wont have the SELLING power (for your prospect) to their mobile surfers.

a mobile site is all about speed of delivery of information to the user and by that, i dont mean (just) the loading time; im talking about how quickly a surfer can get to the info they require on a website so what youre delivering (with a mobile site compared to their responsive version of their full site) is a minimalist site displaying not only the most relevant information to a surfer, but squeeze page style activity - offer vouchers, encourage sign ups, show a map right up front so the surfer can make a decision about going to the business if its in an area the surfer already knows and/or is close by.

surfers can be a bit adhd at the best of times, but thats magnified tenfold when a surfer is looking for info via their phones - they want nigh on instant gratification from a website theyre visiting via their smart phone, so if your prospects website dont deliver what the surfer wants or grab their attention FAST, theyll be gone in quick time speed which is why your mobile site is going to have special landing pages or highlighted discount coupons just to GRAB them before theyre gone.

designing a mobile site compared to a desk top site is a completely different mind set and you need to understand that very clearly so you can speak about it with (more) confidence to your prospects

you can tell them truthfully that SEO for their mobile website is completely separate and different to the SEO you'd do for their desktop website because a different set/type of keywords will be targeted specifically for mobile surfers. why? because mobile surfers arent big on longtail search terms - not when theyve only got a 3" touch sensitive screen or a 2" keyboard to type with and not when they have more urgency about their search.

theyre urgency is because theyre in BUYING mode (theyve got a puncture so they NEED a tyre repair / theyre hungry so they WANT a very local restaurant etc etc).

you need to be able to explain that to a business owner so that they realise a dudamobile type site isnt any good for them as its only going to replicate their existing desktop site which as youve just demonstrated is set up incorrectly for a mobile searcher.

the 'desktop' website is set up for a regular desktop pc surfer who's got a lovely big keyboard to play around with and all the time in the world at their disposal.

desktop surfers are in RESEARCH mode whereas mobile surfers are in BUY mode. mobile surfers respond best to snappy simple mobile websites that present them with enough info to make a quick decision. your prospects NEED a mobile website thats been designed to satisfy the intensified adhd of mobile surfers with things like 'tap-to-call/sms' vouchers, coupons, uniquely designed landing pages, etc etc.

also, dont forget that you should always put a link on a mobile site which allows the surfer to click through to the businesses main desktop website so they have the CHOICE of pinching and expanding their way through the navigation system if they really want to before they make their BUYING decision, but the mobile website should have already presented enough crisp and relevant info that they dont need to torture themselves with a visit to the desktop site.

its well worth educating yourself as much as possible by going through googles various youtube channels, incl Google Mobile Ads Channel where you'll find little video gems like this one where for instance you'll learn that google are already promoting 'free' mobile websites from dudamobile to their Adsense publishing partners and google will cover the first 12 months costs.

after the 12 months are up, they just pay the same fee to dudamobile as you would/do. bummer eh?

you might want to re-think your business plan because if they (google) see this pilot program as being successful and beneficial, they might decide to roll it out further and if they did, where would that leave you and the other dudamobile re-sellers? royally fucked, thats where.

time for you to delve deeper into the ins and outs of mobile website development once youve watched the google/dudamobile video:

Glad I found this thread. One thing I learned in the early business stage are 'speed & testing". While I agree with britcpa's perspective, that dudamobile will lead you to 'royally fucked' situation in long run, but i think its not bad to start off with it. Because you can then easily find out what your business owner wants and doesnt want - make changes to your business plan quickly.

Once you get an idea of what works and what doesnt, then its time to go with your own custom-coded solution and from there, scale up. Just my 2c.

Ask the biz owner what would happen to his site if dudamobile goes out of business.

Step 1: Google "free mobile website template"

Step 2: Find template of your liking and transfer data from regular site.

Step 3: Enter this code into the head of your regular site: