Today, smartphones have become an extension of the desktop experience. Within a few years more people will be accessing the web from their mobile phones than from their computers. Mobile Search Engine Optimization (Mobile SEO) is a necessity if you want to attract visitors and search engines with your mobile website.
Here are some statistics to consider:
- 64% of Americans aged 18 to 34 already own smartphones
- Mobile web is growing 8 times faster than the desktop did in the 1990s.
- 1/5 of people check their phones before getting out of bed.
- 9.6% of restaurant queries are mobile.
- 79% of large online advertisers do not have a mobile optimized website.
- 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site if they had trouble viewing it on their mobile phone.
- Research has shown that retailers could increase consumer engagement by 85% with a mobile optimized website
How To Optimize Your Mobile Website
1. Develop for small screens
Desktop websites are generally built for computer screens that have a width of 1024 pixels however smartphones use a screen size of 320 pixels or greater.
2. Avoid flash
That beautiful flash header on your desktop website will not appear on Apple gadgets such as the iPhone and iPad. Therefore, don’t use flash when developing a mobile site. Also, Adobe recently announced they discontinued developing flash player in the browser to work with new mobile device configurations. An alternative to using flash is JavaScript and HTML 5.
3. Use simple navigation
Keep in mind most mobile phone owners just use their index finger or thumb when navigating a mobile screen. Avoid making users scroll horizontally to find information. Place your most valuable information on one screen so the user doesn’t have to scroll down several screens.
4. Avoid using large images
Reduce the size of your images because mobile phones have a lower resolution than desktops. For example, instead of displaying multiple images place a small header image at the top of your page.
5. Reduce your content
Real estate on a mobile phone is limited therefore you need to reduce the amount of content available to the user. Instead of placing all your content on one page, divide it up into several pages. Just include your best content.
6. Auto-direct desktop users to your mobile site
Use an auto direct script or JavaScript to redirect computer users to your mobile website. This means whatever device a person is using to access your website (computer or mobile phone) this script will automatically detect what they’re using and serve them the appropriate site.
7. Create a mobile site map
Submit a mobile sitemap to Google Webmaster tools. This will enable Google to correctly index all the URLs of your mobile website plus you’ll be able to analyze your statistics within Google analytics.
If you follow these 7 optimization strategies your mobile website will be more user-friendly for current and future mobile phone users. You’ll also be able offer your products and services to a wider audience to generate more sales.
Video: Mobile SEO – How To Optimize Your Mobile Website
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