A large percentage of web visits today are carried out on mobile devices. For this reason, every website should perform well on smartphones and tablets. In addition, Google has also introduced mobile-first search results. These two realities mean that mobile optimization is a vital part of SEO strategy today.
Why Is Mobile Optimization Essential?
Having a mobile optimized website is important for many reasons, such as:
- It helps users view information quickly on a mobile device
- Ensures navigation is simple
- Presents your website in a readable format on mobile devices
- Creates a mobile user-friendly checkout experience
- Improves your mobile search optimization for better search engine rankings
What Is Mobile Optimization?
Optimizing your mobile website means giving users the best experience when they access your site through their smartphones. Previously, websites had desktop and mobile versions. However, today’s mobile optimization incorporates different screen types for a consistent user experience.
Mobile optimization includes several areas of mobile SEO, such as loading speed, page experience and much more. These factors make up how users view your website on a mobile device – but they also affect how Google crawls and ranks your site in search engine results pages.
In short, optimizing your mobile website helps make the user experience as similar as possible to the experience on larger devices, such as a laptop or desktop computer. So, what mobile app optimization techniques are required to improve the user experience?
Let’s take a look:
How to Optimize Your Website for Mobile
If you’re wondering how to optimize website for mobile, the process is easier when it’s broken down. There are several mobile app optimization techniques that show you how to make a website mobile optimized. These include:
Responsive Mobile Optimized Website Design
Responsive mobile optimized website design means your website should fit the screen that it is viewed on. It should also smoothly transition to these screens without hindering the design format.
Many websites use themes that automatically use this mobile design feature. For example, WordPress has myriads of responsive theme options. To ensure everything works as it should, you can also utilise Google Chrome’s Developer Tools. This tool allows you to check how your website scales on different devices.
Site Speed
When scrolling the web, there’s nothing more frustrating than a website that takes a long time to load – no matter if you’re using a desktop computer or a smartphone. Slow loading times mean the user is likely to click away and probably won’t return.
Site speed is a prominent ranking factor in search algorithms and mobile site optimization. Unfortunately, slow speeds affect user experience, which doesn’t bode well in search results because Google favours the user experience. So, how do you fix issues affecting your site’s speed? Numerous factors affect site loading, which the following sections discuss.
Server and Hosting
Choosing the right web hosting service can help with site speed and mobile site optimization. Cheaper web hosting options mean you’re likely to share web space with other websites. On the other hand, the more websites on a server, the slower you may find the service. You could also run into space issues, which makes scaling your website more challenging.
Fortunately, there are plenty of web hosting providers that provide excellent service. Plus, they provide support and limit downtime to ensure your website is in good hands and remains in prime working order.
Optimize Images
Images are a major drain on site speed. However, having mobile optimized images is a quick way to improve site speed, which boosts overall mobile search engine optimization.
Of course, it’s important to have clear, high-quality pictures, but optimising ensures you keep that quality while reducing image file size – enabling your site to load faster. It’s easy to optimize images on tools such as Adobe Photoshop, or there’s a host of free image-altering tools available online.
Other ways to improve site speed include using browser caching, reducing redirects and minifying code.
Avoid Pop-Ups
Let’s face it; pop-ups are annoying at the best of times. However, on a mobile, they can severely impact the user experience. So, it’s best to avoid using them – especially on your mobile site, as they can lead to a high bounce rate.
Optimize for Local Search
Many people search for local products, services and facts on mobile devices. Searches such as ‘restaurants near me’, ‘hiking trails in my area’ and similar queries bring up the most relevant local listings, especially if people search via map apps.
Optimizing your website for local searches is vital if your business has local services. This should include using a consistent brand name and adding your address, contact number and town/city location into the metadata. Doing so enables local users to find your business when conducting these searches.
Consider the Navigation Menu Position
The way people navigate your website is important for the user experience – which is even more pressing for mobile sites. The menu should be prominent, and more site owners are moving this navigation to the bottom of the screen so that it’s easier to reach because most people use one hand to scroll.
An example of this is Apple’s recent change in the position of the menu on Safari. The browser section is now at the bottom for easier access.
Optimize Mobile Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Just like you’d optimize your title and meta for desktop, the same applies to mobile optimized website design. However, with a smaller screen, less text shows in search results. As such, keep the title short and relevant. Plus, the meta should also be optimized in a more concise caption.
Use Clear Call to Actions (CTAs)
When adding mobile optimized elements to your website, including clear CTAs is vital; they tell users what to do next. Use short and concise instructions such as ‘Contact Us’, ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Add To Cart’ to guide users to the next step that you want them to take.
While the CTAs shouldn’t be overwhelming, they must be clear and not hidden on the website. If people can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll click away!
Make Your Mobile Website Thumb-friendly
Another element to consider in mobile search engine optimization is that most people use their thumbs to scroll and control a smartphone. As a result, it’s natural that a mobile optimised site will follow the same concept for usability.
Don’t make buttons so small that people hit other features and end up clicking elsewhere by mistake – this can be very frustrating for users. Also, if a person has to zoom in to read anything, you’re affecting your chances of conversion.
Check That Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly
Being mobile-friendly is crucial for your mobile search optimization. Not sure whether your website is optimized for mobile, or do you need pointers on improving its mobile-first positioning? If so, head to Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
Simply enter your URL, and it’ll analyse your site and let you know whether it’s passed or failed. If it fails, the tips above will help you optimize your site for mobile with tried and tested mobile app optimization techniques.
Need Help with Mobile Optimization?
While experts might find mobile optimization easy, this isn’t always the case for beginners or those who are too busy to learn or execute their mobile SEO strategy.
Suppose you need help with this and you’re unsure where to start. In that case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team; our experts have all the know-how to help you get your website optimized for mobile!
