The Problem with Mobile Sites

The mobile version of Cult Of Mac.
The banner and ad follow the user. 

This has been a growing annoyance. I've noticed that mobile sites often aren't just reformatted websites that make are easier to navigate on a small screen, but they're also incredibly crippled. For example, Cult Of Mac is one of my favorite sources of Mac news. However, the mobile site is an atrocity. The title bar follows you whole navigating, blocking the article and comment section. Plus, they've recently added an ad section that also follows your view. They've cut down on the usable space, and that's exactly what you shouldn't have on a mobile device. They already get money from a page view on the ad, why does it need to follow the user? As for the title bar, why does it need to follow you, when tapping the bar at the top of an iOS device brings you to the top of a page? Worst of all, you can't actually turn off the mobile version, even if you select the full site.

It doesn't stop with Cult Of Mac, many mobile sites have dumbed down interfaces that are overly simplistic. Gawker sites don't allow users to log in or comment when they're using a mobile device, and not all the comments are visible. Their desktop interface is horrible on computers, and especially bad on a mobile device.

Not all websites do this wrong though. Engadget, for example, allows user to read stories and comment, just as they could when browsing from a computer. Yet they've still designed an interface that works for a smaller screen. The blogger service, which I use here, allows users to view stories and comment. I actually like using it on my iPhone, which is more than I can say about most mobile pages.

With the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets, perhaps website owners will wake up and put a bit more effort into the design of their mobile sites. Right now, most of them are, without a doubt, terrible. Hopefully, this changes soon.