SEO for Mobile Websites

SEO strategy and implementation must be adapted for mobile website use. For your products and services to be found through online search, you will need to understand the behaviour of your mobile target audience. How and what people search for on smartphones differs from the desktop. When people are on the move, they tend to make more localised searches (e.g. address, opening hours, etc..) as well as entertainment, news and consumer products. Mobile SEO cannot be ignored as it already accounts for 50% of all Google searches. Google’s SEO mobile algorithm is heavily dependent on other factors beyond keywords; here we describe the most critical points you will need to take into consideration.

Mobile-User Behaviour

Get to know your mobile users; find out how their behavioural traits differ from those using desktop computers. Learn which pages they view and the actions they trigger. With this information, you will have a pretty good idea how to configure your site. Filter your Google Analytics for mobile users only to gain useful data insights.

Website Design and UX

In a previous blog, we discussed responsive vs mobile-first web design. Again, here if necessary, you may be better to opt for a hybrid or dedicated mobile website. If you see a marked difference in mobile user behaviour from desktop users, you should definitely focus on a mobile-first website design approach to provide a better mobile user experience. This will lead to higher retention and conversion rates.

Website Mobile Optimisation

Optimisation of your mobile website is a vital factor in achieving a good Google SEO ranking. Therefore, it is critical that the layout of your site is adapted to mobile devices. Similarly, your website build should be configured for optimum download speed and rendering. You can test your mobile optimisation score at PageSpeed Insights.

SEO Localisation

Localisation for bricks and mortar businesses websites is essential. A high proportion of web visitors to these sites will be on mobile devices. They will often be looking for contact details, a physical address, opening hours or a list of service and products. For this information to appear in a Google search, make sure the HTML of your address and contact details are structured using micro tags (schema.org). And do not forget to register your company on Google My Business tools.

Content

I know it’s a cliché, but I will need to repeat it all the same, content is king. Excellent engaging content will be shared organically. Nothing beats peer and positive word-of-mouth marketing to boost your SERP, Google ranking. Studies have shown, that content which evokes emotions of awe, anger and anxiety are shared more often; as is content of an unusual, practical or interesting nature.