Opinion: Is a separate mobile (mini) site an essential part of your web services?

Use of a website on multiple devices (from desktops to mobiles) is essential. A separate site is a good idea only when it would be inappropriate (or impossible) otherwise. Accessibility from different devices is a definite must. It always has been.

A website should be optimised for viewing on all mobile devices, whether phone or tablet, and in that case a separate site is not necessary. Mobile mini sites can be beneficial in some circumstances, particularly to deliver "services" - though this takes us closer to "app" territory.

Modern websites should be designed and structured to respond to different devices. A well planned website will reshape itself and reflow content for a range of screen sizes, and take advantage of the different ways users can interact. Thinking in terms of a "separate" mobile site is old fashioned (although practical for functionally complex, or already established websites). Thinking about a website as device independent is the best way to future proof it.

The question is whether you want you website to be accessible to all. Mobile Internet usage has sky rocketed over the last few years so if you want your website to perform well for this new audience then you should have a mobile site.

It really depends on what the site does. If the site is a traditional content based website, then the best approach is to use what has become known as “Responsive Web Design”, so that the site changes the layout to accommodate different screen sizes without the user noticing. However, sites which are more application-like, such as Gmail, Facebook or (perhaps) Twitter require greater degrees of interaction, and as such may be best served by a dedicated mobile site, designed especially for the different styles of interaction involved.