Why Does My GemPages Website Look Different on Different Computers?

1. Responsive Design Variations

Reason: GemPages employs responsive design principles, allowing elements to adjust based on screen size. However, modifications made in one device view (e.g., mobile) can inadvertently affect other views (e.g., desktop) if not managed correctly. ​

Solution: Utilize the Visibility Settings feature to create device-specific sections. For instance, design separate sections tailored for desktop and mobile, and set them to display only on their respective devices. This approach ensures that changes in one view do not impact others. 

2. Element-Specific Adjustments

Reason: Adjusting elements like font size, alignment, or spacing for one device can lead to inconsistencies on other devices if not properly configured.​

Solution: GemPages allows for device-specific styling. Adjust visual properties such as font size, margins, and padding separately for desktop, tablet, and mobile views to maintain consistency across devices.

3. Browser and Operating System Differences

Reason: Different browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS) have unique rendering engines, leading to variations in how they display websites. ​

Solution: Test your website across multiple browsers and operating systems to identify inconsistencies. Utilize browser developer tools to inspect and adjust your site’s code for compatibility.​

4. Screen Resolution and Display Settings

Reason: Variations in screen resolutions and display settings (like DPI scaling) can alter how content is displayed, leading to layout shifts or resizing issues. ​

Solution: Design your website responsively using relative units (e.g., %, em, rem) and media queries to adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions. Regularly preview your site on different screen sizes using GemPages’ built-in preview tools. ​

5. Browser Extensions and Add-ons

Reason: Installed browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with website rendering, causing elements to display incorrectly or not at all.​

Solution: Advise users to disable extensions when experiencing display issues. During development, test your website in browsers with extensions turned off to identify potential conflicts.​

6. Caching Issues

Reason: Browsers store cached versions of websites, which might not reflect recent updates, leading to outdated or inconsistent displays.​

Solution: Clear browser caches regularly during development and advise users to do the same if they encounter display anomalies. Implement cache-busting techniques to ensure users receive the latest version of your site.