What Is the Importance of Mobile Optimization?

Did you know that you're almost?definitely a cyborg??

That's right; you're a cyborg; I'm a cyborg. Your friends? All cyborgs. The dystopian future you've always heard about, where man and machine become one, happened around 2007 when smartphones were introduced to the world.

We've become so reliant on our mobile devices; they're basically an extension of our arms at this point.?As of 2016, more people were using mobile devices than desktop computers for everything from browsing to purchasing.

This mobile dependency has only increased since the onset of the pandemic and is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

So it's only natural that we should prioritize all things mobile when it comes to how we present our brands online. This is where the importance of mobile optimization comes in. Keep reading as we explore the ins and outs of mobile optimization for your brand.?

What Is Mobile Optimization??

Mobile Optimization refers to the process of ensuring that your website functions well across a variety of devices. These devices include smartphones and tablets of every shape, size, and make imaginable.?

If you're reading this article on your smartphone, it's going to look different from if you opened it on your monitor at work. Mobile optimization takes this into account when building your website from the beginning. Mobile optimization ensures that your website looks aesthetically pleasing and functional wherever it appears.?

Mobile Optimization, Mobile Friendly, and Responsive: What's the difference?

When designing a website for mobile, it's not as simple as making your website smaller for your phone screen. Mobile optimization can actually be classified into three different types of design: responsive, mobile-responsive, and mobile-friendly.

You might be thinking that these terms sound like a whole lot of the same thing. But when these terms are used interchangeably, as they often are, this can lead to a lot of confusion among web developers.

When you talk to your web development company about mobile optimization, you might want to sound like you're on top of things. So, to clear up any confusion, we'll take you through the subtle but important differences.?

Mobile-Friendly Websites

Mobile-friendly design basically means that your website will look the same whether you're accessing it on mobile or desktop. This means that a mobile-friendly site will be a simplified version of your desktop website and is created separately for mobile devices.

Mobile-Optimized Websites?

Mobile optimization refers to reformatting your website's entire functionality to cater to each type of mobile device. It goes one step further than a mobile-friendly site which is just a simplified version of your main website.

Your website's design and user interface are specifically formatted for mobile use. This might include things like smaller images and easier navigation for thumbs instead of cursors.

Responsive Websites

If a mobile-optimized site pulls out all the stops, and a mobile-friendly site does the bare minimum, a responsive site is somewhere between.

A responsive website uses elements that respond to its format. This means that the elements of the website will adapt to whatever device they are displayed on.

Why is Mobile Optimization Important?

We've already discussed the sheer volume of users interacting with websites on mobile devices. So, the importance of mobile optimization speaks for itself. Here are a few more reasons mobile optimization is important for your website.

Search Engine Optimization?

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is probably something you've heard a lot about when it comes to your website. SEO is the process of improving your website to ensure it ranks highly in search engine results.?

Google can be quite mysterious when it comes to what determines its page rankings. But there are a few factors we know for sure are used in determining which sites rank highly. One of these is whether or not your website is optimized for mobile.?

There is no doubt that mobile optimization is essential for SEO. Google even offers?a free tool?that analyzes how mobile-friendly your site really is. Simply enter your URL, and voila! You'll be provided with a result and rendering of your page as it appears on mobile devices.

Convenience?

Most consumers aren't stuck behind their desktops anymore.

They're always on the go. They're using tablets, phones, and laptops and doing business anywhere and everywhere. And your website needs to cater to this.?

This is particularly true when it comes to location-specific browsing. How many times have you searched for a restaurant or business on the move? Our reliance on mobile means we don't have to plan. We can simply Google "Burgers near me" and select from the top results.?

If your site isn't optimized for mobile, it won't appear in these results. That comes down to SEO. But more importantly, if a visitor does click on your site and it isn't optimized for mobile, the sheer inconvenience means that they'll navigate straight to your competition.

This is also linked to SEO. This is because Google accounts for what they call "page experience" when determining your rankings. You can read up more about just how important?your page experience really is.

Conversions

This point is linked to convenience. We can't emphasize this enough. Even if you keep visitors on your site long enough to browse, you're unlikely to get them to actually do anything worthwhile.

Essentially consumers are less likely to complete transactions on your site if they cannot do it from any device. It's just a hassle and a waste of time.?

Speed

Speaking of time, mobile optimization means visitors to your site get to save it. Time is a huge commodity. Optimizing your site for mobile means faster loading times for your page and makes for a more efficient browsing experience.?

Reputation?

Remember how we mentioned that mobile had become the main point of access to doing business online? Well, these days, if your site?isn't?optimized for mobile, that's just... kind of embarrassing.?

Even if you're a top-rated business and you provide excellent service IRL, your website has to be optimized for mobile. You just can't afford to lose face in the digital game. Not ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly means losing credibility. It also makes consumers think you're stuck in the dark ages, which means they're less likely to trust your brand.

Mobile Optimization: Where Do I Begin?

Now that we've convinced you how important mobile optimization really is, you're probably keen to get to optimizing ASAP. Before you do, there are a few things you might want to consider.

These include thoroughly understanding what exactly your consumer wants from your website on every device. In each step of the mobile optimization process, you need to really immerse yourself in your brand and get a good idea of what visitors to your site might expect. So, where do you begin??

Research, Research, Research

To create a perfectly optimized site for any device, you need to know what visitors expect when visiting your site on mobile.

Remember that browsing from a tablet or phone is very different from browsing on a desktop computer. This process involves not only finding out what visitors to your site expect but finding ways to exceed those expectations.

The best way to find out what visitors expect is to?do some thorough research. So the research process might include surveys, analyzing existing website data, and checking out the competition.

When it comes to this step, the more, the better, so get creative with your research to create the best possible customer experience on every mobile device.?

Think Mobile First

In the old days, when desktops reigned supreme, mobile was often an afterthought. But now it's time to think mobile-first. This means that you shouldn't base your mobile optimization on your desktop site.

Thinking mobile-first means prioritizing the mobile side of things while fitting your desktop site into this model. This might require some clever website redesign on your part. It might seem like a lengthy process, but it's definitely worth it.??

Craft a User Experience

Using your research insights, it's time to craft an?optimized mobile experience. This involves figuring out the actual layout and functionality of your mobile site. While desktop sites give you more room for functionality on a wider screen, mobile functionality can be slightly trickier.?

Figuring out the best way to get conversions on a smaller screen might involve simplifying the click-through process to complete transactions. It also might involve a simplified search functionality. When crafting?a user experience?for a mobile device, it's best to think small and simple.??

Streamline Your Design?

User experience design involves the logical and tactile interactions between the user and the website. On the flip side, user interface design is focused on aesthetics.?

The loud and busy design doesn't always translate well when it comes to mobile optimization. Remember, mobile means smaller screens and less patience. If you have too much going on, you might want to think about a visual rebrand that works well on desktop and mobile.?

This is particularly important when it comes to your logo. If your logo is small and intricate with a lot of line work, it might not translate well onto a smaller screen. This is just one of the key design elements that you might have to rethink when it comes to UI for mobile optimization.?

Consistency is Key

You've probably heard about the importance of developing a voice for your brand. Your brand's unique voice should guide every decision you make when it comes to mobile optimization.

Sometimes, there's a bit of discord when it comes to your desktop and mobile site. This can happen when you develop these sites separately and don't check them against each other.

If your mobile site looks or sounds too different from your desktop site, this disrupts the holistic feel of your brand's voice online. This is why it's super important to keep things consistent in terms of copy and design across both platforms.

Could This Be an App?

One of the greatest things about smartphones is the ability to turn your mobile site into an app. Apps are great for ease of use and building a consumer loyalty base. So in your mobile optimization process, you might want to ask yourself if your mobile site is better suited to app development.

There's also a lot more you can do when it comes to?mobile application development. Mobile application design also gives you a lot more options in terms of UI and UX. So why not go the extra mile and see what an app can do for your brand?

Keep Improving?

Mobile optimization isn't a once-off investment. Things are constantly changing and evolving online. What worked a year ago or even a month ago may not be the best option for your mobile site now.?

This is why it's important to keep investing in mobile optimization. This means continued testing of your mobile site and research into what can make your site more efficient.?

It's also great to get consumer feedback on what's working and what isn't. This might involve pop-up surveys on your desktop site and encouraging visitors to give feedback on social platforms. There's always room for improvement.

Get Mobile and Optimize Today!

Mobile optimization is a non-negotiable for your brand's web presence. Rank higher in search results, build a great online reputation, and keep consumers coming back by optimizing for mobile as soon as possible. If you need some expert advice on getting started, or you're looking for help with anything digital,?get in touch today!?