A few times over the past year I have delved into the next big thing - the mobile web - and again, I am banging on to web site owners about the need to think cell phones. There are a billion phones a year in circulation, which dwarfs the number of computers by quite a margin. And with data prices dropping all the time, cell phone surfing isn't going to remain the game of choice for the privileged few for too much longer. Don't hold back and miss out on traffic.

iPhone has revolutionised the mobile web, but...

iPhone has obviously taken the mobile web to the next level with a real browser onboard. What you see on your computer at home you get on the iPhone, and give or take a bit of finger scrolling, it is quite easy to navigate a proper web site. (Users with stubby spatulate fingers like mine may beg to differ.)

But, if you run a blog or full blown website, don't be suckered into thinking that Apple have cut out the need for you to consider re-designing or adapting your own theme for the web. Even Apple know they are a 1 or 2% minnow in a mega pond, so most phones that browse the internet will have the "normal" 2" screen. No one is going to enjoy the experience of surfing your 14" wide site with one of those.

So what do you do?

Redesign for a fully mobile site

For a mini version of a full site you could rejig your theme for a handheld view. Bonsai Studios did a great job shrinking the pisstakers theme so that it looks splendido on Opera mini. That option cost some money though, and requires a bit of thought - you have to forgo a lot of the glamor of your snazzy theme and really strip it down to the bare essentials, especially with navigation. This expensive and time-consuming option is classier than a text only feed, but the investment may not suit everyone!

Go the RSS feed route and try out FeedM8!

There really is nothing to worry about financially or creatively if you adopt the service from the FeedM8 guys. Not only will they turn your site's RSS feed into a thing of beauty on a tiny cell phone screen, they even set up a few simple ads that could earn you a bit - or a lot - of income when users click on them. What's not to like?

How do users get the Pisstakers, or any other site, on their cell phone?

No wizardry required - it is easy.

1 - SMS the mobile feed details to your phone direct from the sidebar form on The Pisstakers site; or

2 - Load the Pisstakers mobile feed URL straight into your phone's browser. Not too hard. And it really works.

Feedm8 affiliate dealio

Whatever you do, don't bury your head in the sand and think mobile doesn't apply to you. The cell phone browser heads are coming, and coming fast. And with browsers comes Google and all the wannabe advertisers too.

The Pisstakers are set up with Feedm8 and we are hoping to benefit from the power of their affiliate mobile web network. Why don't you take your blog mobile, and earn more? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, especially traffic.