topic Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme? in CMS Development

Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

PPope — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 18:38:49 GMT

Basically, what I would like to do is create a new subdomain, mobile.company.com, and develop a new theme specifically for the mobile site.

The current (very) custom theme I am attempting to modify for mobile display was constructed in a way that makes it impossible to do so.

The original developer did not utilize any boilerplate files, resulting in severely limited editability both in the design manager and page editor.

Since the client is reluctant to perform a complete migration, my plan is to create a new subdomain, install a new theme, and build the mobile site based on that theme.

Is this possible to accomplish?

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

Mike_Eastwood — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 22:09:28 GMT

Hi @PPope

Yes, you could add a subdomain – for Landing Pages – and build youur mobile friendly site there.

From an SEO and User Experience it sounds less than ideal...

So, personally, I recommend cloning your site to Staging and bending the theme with additional CSS to make it work.

Good luck!

Mike

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

Anton — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 06:38:30 GMT

Hi @PPope,

if you'd like to develop a theme you can create a free developer account (select "CMS Developer sandbox"). You'll get an optimized portal for CMS related development. You can clone/move your existing theme to this portal if you want/need to, develop/test everything within this portal and then move it back to your live account. By doing so you don't have to worry about mixing things up.

By default the sandbox is completly empty - but you can use tools like postman and the HubSpot APIs to move things to it (you might need just the pages API)

I'm also on @Mike_Eastwood side - if you want to move everything - use the content staging environment. This won't affect your SEO and make your life much easier.

best,

Anton

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

PPope — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:06:33 GMT

Thanks, Mike

I'm not sure if I explained what I am trying to accomplish clear enough.

What I am trying to figure out is how I can build a mobile version on the site that uses an entirely different theme than the desktop site.

The issue is the orginal developer built the current theme and didn't start from ANY SORT of boilerplate file. It's entirely custom and didn't follow any HS dev best practices.

The mobile site is a mess, as well as the desktop site is a mess but the client is reluctant to move to a new theme.

So my workaround was to pitch developing a new theme just for mobile. But in order to do so the mobile site would need to work off a different theme.

I had actually posted a different thread which may give you more insight into the issue.

https://community.hubspot.com/t5/CMS-Development/How-does-the-standard-header-includes-function-render-default/td-p/813696

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

PPope — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:09:17 GMT

Hey Anton,

Thanks for your response. I already have a sandbox.

I had posted this last week, which may jog your memory of the project I am working on.

https://community.hubspot.com/t5/CMS-Development/How-does-the-standard-header-includes-function-render-default/td-p/813696

I was hired to update the site for mobile but the site is just too much of a mess.

So my workaround was to build a new site just for mobile, and have the mobile site use its own theme.

I have been digging around trying to figure out how I can accomplish this.

Thanks, and please let me know if you have any ideas.

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

Mike_Eastwood — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 22:08:53 GMT

Hi @PPope

In answer to your question I don't know any way to redirect mobile traffic to use a different theme.

From experience it would be easier, faster and cheaper to create a fresh new theme that's fully responsive.

Good luck

Mike

Re: Is it possible to create a subdomain for mobile and have the domain point to a new theme?

PPope — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 18:33:47 GMT

I fully agree starting fresh would be the best, though the client is not feeling it.