Special offer

New ActiveRain Mobile Optimized Website Design

By
Real Estate Technology with ActiveRain

On Monday night, September 29th at 9pm (Pacific Time) we lauched the new ActiveRain Mobile optimized design for the website.

What does this mean? It means that ActiveRain will now render much better on a mobile device giving any visitors via mobile a more delightful and beautiful experience where the author (you!) is front and center.

Currently, about 20% of the traffic that comes to ActiveRain is doing so via a mobile device. This number has been steadily increasing month after month. This new optimized design will create a better experience for those visitors.

We believe that creating a mobile optimized design that will display your content in a visually appealing and consistent manner from device to device (and there are a ton of devices, not to mention operating systems to consider) will help your content rank better when someone is doing a Google search (or any other search engine) from their mobile phone and thereby lead to more traffic for your blog posts.

Combined with obvious calls to action and placing you and the ability to contact you front and center we hope this new design leads to more connections through your blog.

What Did We Do:

Made Your Blog Beautiful: Well really we just took what you are posting to the desktop version of ActiveRain and made it so that it looks good on a mobile device. Lots of developer stuff like resizing images and eliminating random code that doesn't display so well on mobile

Put The Author Front and Center: Any time someone lands on a piece of content you authored using their mobile device, it's no secret who wrote the content. We put your pretty face front and center and made sure there are ample options for someone to connect with you.

Clear Calls to Action: Did I just repeat myself? It bears repeating.....there are lots of ways on a mobile version of your post for someone to reach out and connect with you.

How This Benefits You, The Members of ActiveRain:

The new mobile optimized site allows our members to engage on ActiveRain from your mobile device. You can now comment on posts, like other member's blog posts or comments and access your bookmarks. 

Beyond that, we believe that offering up a mobile optimized site to Google, as I mentioned earlier, will increase the likelihood that your content shows up higher in search results served up to someone using a mobile device.


What Should You Do on Tuesday Morning, September 30th?

The first thing you want to do is check out one of your blog posts on your mobile device. Pay special attention to the name field when you post pulls up. You'll want to make sure that you are using the fields in your ActiveRain profile in the way they are intended to be used. If you have been stuffing a bunch of extra stuff into, say, your name field.....it's not going to look as good on the mobile version.

Second, play around with it. Get in there and comment, like a few posts, check out your bookmarks and just play around on AR using your mobile device. 


The New ActiveRain Mobile Design

If you would like to see what the new mobile optimized site looks like, check out the video I created below showing it off a little bit. Or just jump over to your phone and pull up ActiveRain. 


 

Posted by

---

Keep Up In the Rain!
ActiveRain FacebookActiveRain TwitterActiveRain YouTubeActiveRain Google+ActiveRain LinkedIn

 

Comments (140)

Anonymous
James Dray

I can't find it on my IPad apps. Where is it

Oct 01, 2014 11:06 AM
#122
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I can't find the app on my iPad.  Did I miss something?

Oct 01, 2014 11:08 AM
Lisa Perry - NMLS # 276329
FHA, VA, Jumbo, Downpayment Assistance, Conv. - Fairfax, VA
Northern VA - VHDA, 100% Loans - Jumbo Loans

Finally got it.  Site looks good.  This will be great to use on the road.

Oct 01, 2014 11:30 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

How do I switch back to the mobile version if I accidentally clicked the  full version? ActiveRain Real Estate Network 

Oct 01, 2014 03:32 PM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...

 Since this update, I'm unable to feature posts in a group I manage, wondering if its somehow related or why we're unable to feature posts in The Art of Marketing You group for the past couple of days?

Oct 02, 2014 05:10 AM
Kate McQueen
Realty Associates Texas - Cypress, TX
Tailored service for your real estate needs!

How exciting!  I've been busy the past few days and haven't had a chance to read this or try the app.  This is GREAT news!

I try to direct much of my content at buyers who need to know specific information, and they are more often first time buyers, and the generation that conducts much of their internet activity on a smart phone.

Oct 02, 2014 08:11 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Have not accessed Active rain with a mobile device. Will make a change to observe results.

Oct 02, 2014 11:22 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Pretty much figured it out. Thank you.

Oct 02, 2014 04:41 PM
Todd Morin
Hermosa Beach, CA

That's great news!  I build mobile websites and mobile apps for real estate professionals.  If anyone needs assistance with a mobile website or app, let me know.  Have a nice weekend!

Oct 03, 2014 05:20 AM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

It certainly looks good. I have been on vacation and not looked at it much yet. I look forward to exploring it this weekend.

Oct 03, 2014 12:13 PM
Christine Pappas - REALTOR®
eXp Realty - Willoughby, OH
When You’re Ready To Move, I’m Ready To Help

Good news for sure! Mobile use will probably increase even more.

Oct 06, 2014 10:41 AM
Randy Mitchelson,APR
Marketing Advisor & Squeeze Mortgage - Bonita Springs, FL
First Impressions are made at First Click

Was expecting a more robust mobile experience. For example why cant I access recent posts from the Rainers I follow? Good start. Keep enhancing.

Oct 09, 2014 01:48 PM
Craig & Sue Guffin
Coldwell Banker Monsees Realty - Sedalia, MO
Sedalia Mo Real Estate

Looks good!

Oct 12, 2014 07:27 AM
Paul Peck
Peck Drywall and Painting serving Brevard County, Florida - Melbourne, FL
Licensed Drywall and Painting Contractor

This is great news ActiveRain Real Estate Network ! 

-Paul

Oct 12, 2014 08:52 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Pulled it up.  I like the format!  Great job ActiveRain!!!!

Oct 13, 2014 10:27 AM
Ann Marie Clements
Remax Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD
Montgomery County & Frederick County

Will we be able to make comments and also find the people we follow? 

Oct 17, 2014 10:08 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

This is really great news considering that 20% of AR traffic is coming from smart phones. I am sure that will increase over time as well, especially with the new look.

Oct 19, 2014 05:15 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

I can't wait until we have a full blown APP.  This is a great step and it looks great! 

Oct 19, 2014 06:04 AM
paul gilmore

Hi, This is my first, so please be patient with me. I am an investor and I need a real estate agent/realtor who works with investors. I work in the cleveland ohio area, I am looking to buy, fix, & sell properties that I can make 10-20% after rehab.  3bed/starter homes in low end neighborhoods from around 1000-2500sq/ft in fast moving areas. Will you help? Please call 614-733-9466

Sincerely,

Paul Gilmore

Oct 28, 2014 05:30 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I like using my iPad for checking blogs and comments.  I usually use desktop version. I actually post my comment from iPad right now:)

AR looks great:)

Dec 14, 2014 05:29 PM