This topic will be discussed with the following structure.
If you scroll through any statistics on the internet, more than half of all internet traffic is mobile-based. The number is huge and keeps increasing with every passing minute.
As a result, more and more brands are opting for a mobile-optimized site to create direct exposure to customers online.
Strong content that adapts to that handy device's screen size would be a plus.
But poor loading times can also cause issues because websites are built on desktop devices, and it is sometimes tricky to analyze the mobile configuration during the development phase.
This is where mobile SEO comes to the rescue. If you want your site to stay at the top of all mobile internet searches, this ultimate guide to mobile SEO is your ultimate destination.
There are certain things that you should learn about mobile SEO because it has some amazing results.
What is Mobile SEO?
Mobile SEO refers to making an online platform adaptable to the requirements of mobile users. The process basically involves the best practices for making a website optimized enough that it loads faster and smoother on the smartphones or tablets of the users.
Having a flawless mobile site gives you the ability to serve an exceptional experience to a wider audience network, as 60% of all organic searches are carried out via smartphone devices.
How to Implement Mobile SEO That Ranks
Given below are some of the fundamental rules of implementing mobile SEO that take websites up on local searches.
1. Improve Page Speed
Usually, websites load faster on desktop computers compared to mobile devices due to the bigger screen area and the configuration of the devices. But special adjustments are needed to make the site responsive on mobile devices.
Over 53% of users will bounce off the site if it isn’t loading faster. If images are large, it will slow down the site. If the content is big or contains video or graphics, make sure you have them compressed so that they load quickly on mobile devices.
2. Configure Site for Mobile Devices
Most websites might want users to land on another page through the lead page's link. Others might want users to fill out a form online. If your website is also directing users to another site or platform you own, make sure it is compatible with the mobile device. It may have a different set of HTML and CSS, and this technique will make sure that things work according to plan.
3. Responsive Web Design
Theme alone can ruin the user experience on a smartphone. But the good news is, WordPress provides you with the flexibility of choosing and customizing website design as per your needs. Therefore, you can keep it responsive for smartphone users. Special attention should be given to layouts, as drop-down menus can encounter loading issues.
4. Google Search Console
No matter how responsive a theme you have installed for your site, or how carefully you have been about your site’s content. If your website doesn’t qualify for the mobile usability test in Google Search Console, it will not work.
Walk through this particular option in your Google Search Console dashboard to identify major ups and downs for your site.
5. Mobile-Friendly Content
Content is king, but unfortunately, this king won’t serve any value or impress its audience if it isn’t friendly. Images, graphics, videos, and other embedded elements won’t load fast on mobile devices if the content isn’t loading as smoothly as it does on desktop screens. So make sure the content is friendly to mobile devices.
6. Title & Meta Description
Keeping a similar title and meta description for both desktop and mobile devices can get things wrong for you. That long title is clearly visible on the desktop device, sometimes partially visible on the smartphone devices due to the small screen.
However, with some WP plugins or themes, you can set two different titles for mobile and desktop devices separately. But the best practice would be to come up with a context which practically adapts to requirements of both devices.
7. Be Careful with Pop-ups
Whether it is a sign-up form, a chatbot, or an advertisement, pop-up have been found messing up website’s responsiveness and speed. Simultaneously, this will improve bounce rate on a site, as users are unnecessarily being forced to watch something on the site they were not intended to do so.
Even if using pop-ups is requisite, be sure you have reviewed them multiple times, and they aren’t spoiling user experience in any way.
5 Main Benefits of Mobile SEO
1. Enhanced User Experience
Mobile SEO leads to an improved user experience by delivering valuable content to over 60% of all internet traffic which makes daily searches through smartphone devices. If your value creation is happening differently for smartphone and desktop users, it will lead to awesome benefits.
2. Increase SEO score
Search Engine Score is more than a buzzword now. A positive score is an indication that your website will rank well on Google. Since more than half of all internet traffic comes from smartphone devices, you can increase your website speed on mobile and SEO score by making your site mobile friendly.
3. Local Engagement
Websites that are targeting location-based keywords, e.g., "near me in California", or "near me in Delhi," need mobile-friendly sites, as such searches are promoted after a sudden urge to find a store or something in the nearby location. And since most are about to use their smartphones for this purpose, having the site ready for their devices would be a wise move.
4. Creates Alternative to Mobile
Mobile applications are an excellent communication channel when you wish to create a direct presence on someone's smartphone. But since the app development and acquisition cost is high, a mobile optimized site emerges as a perfect alternative. It brings websites app-like abilities which further supports them in establishing a strong communication link with the customers.
5. Optimized for Voice Search
Over 50% of the US population uses voice search. After all, it is an instant way to put up some questions to search engines or Google, and have an instant answer. Google itself is making more upgrades in this area as voice searches from smartphone users are rising worldwide.
Conclusion
With more and more people using smartphones, the term mobile SEO has become more popular than ever. Internet users of this age and in the future will heavily rely on smartphone devices. As a result, your website should be optimized for mobile devices to attract more audience and clients online.
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