New: A unified user experience across devices
We’re excited to announce a major update to PhotoDeck websites: the desktop and mobile websites are now seamlessly unified under a single theme and share the same user experience. This change simplifies customization, strengthens branding consistency, and sets the stage for future improvements.
One theme, everywhere
Previously, websites had separate themes for desktop and mobile devices. While this offered flexibility and an “app-like” experience on mobile, it also meant maintaining two different designs — which could complicate customization and branding.
With this update, it is now possible to use one single responsive theme for both desktop and mobile. That means:
- Consistent design across all screen sizes
- Simpler customization with fewer things to manage
All new PhotoDeck websites will now use a single unified theme. Existing members can easily upgrade their “desktop” theme and remove the separate mobile-specific theme.
A unified, intuitive image viewing experience
When viewing individual images, your mobile visitors now get the same great user experience as desktop users:
- Prominent, easy-to-use buttons for better usability and more sales conversions
- Support for image ratings and comments
- Familiar layout that mirrors the desktop version, making your website feel consistent and professional on any device
Similarly, we’ve introduced a new, simple way to maximize images for a more intuitive experience, consistent with current trends and design conventions. It applies to all devices and lets your visitors and clients enjoy your images in the best format, on any screen.
Built for what’s next
This update isn’t just about the present — it’s an important step toward what’s coming. By unifying the browsing experience across platforms, we’re laying the groundwork for exciting new features and deeper customization in the future.
I’m a PhotoDeck member, what do I need to do?
- The new user interface for images will be rolled out to your website automatically. To make sure the maximized image presentation is optimal, please upgrade your desktop theme under My Website / Design in your admin space. The theme upgrade will bring also smartphone support. You can preview and check the updated theme within your admin space before committing the update to your live website.
- Preview how the theme will look like on mobile: open your website in a new browser window, and make it as small as a smartphone’s screen.
- If your front page is a custom page with a background slideshow, make sure the slideshow includes both horizontal and vertical images, and activate the option to only use images/videos that match the device orientation (with a unified theme, all devices will see the same front page).
- When you’re happy with the preview, simply delete the mobile-specific theme from the mobile preview page, and enjoy simplified customization and better consistency! If you want to keep the separate mobile design for now, please upgrade it to get complete support for the new maximized image view.