During a recent discussion with a mobile app guru we were discussing the importance of optimization that is uniquely positioned for the mobile market. In several instances we’ve seen over the past few years, many mobile websites tend to be optimized exactly the same as a traditional desktop website. While there are some commonalities there are also some very distinctive differences. Here is our top 10 mobile optimization tips for mobile websites.
- Don’t forget the content. This is true especially for apps where you need to have the HTML text content to support a search ranking. You obviously don’t need to swing the pendulum in the other direction, but you must have enough HTML text to justify the search position. We just were asked to review a site where the only thing on the site were graphical icons and a video. You need to have something to help justify search rankings.
- Mobile Keywords are Different. We see two huge trends when it comes to keyword selection. First, forget the long-tail when it comes to mobile searches. We’re seeing mobile search phrases being significantly shorter than desktop searches. Second, mobile users will rely upon auto-complete so take time to review possible auto-complete options and then consider optimizing around those terms. If it doesn’t show up in auto-complete then you may have to reconsider your phrase.
- Socialize your Mobile Search. We’re seeing that mobile users are far more frequently using social sharing tools so make sure to include these tools, but secondly make sure that your browser title is going to be descriptive enough to make posting easy.
- Warning – Avoid the Cloak! Some mobile site owners can inadvertently get their site tagged for cloaking by directly bots to their desktop version of their site while displaying mobile content to users. A careful and intentional use of Google Webmaster Tools can be a huge help in this process as well as treating your mobile app site distinctly from your desktop website. Be careful.
- Add mobile URL information to your sitemap. Double check to make sure your XML sitemap generator is utilizing Google’s new mobile sitemap format. Once again you’ll find this under Google Webmaster Tools.
- Phone numbers/Contact Info in HTML Text. Not only does this help with SEO content identification, but it also will improve the user experience.
- Don’t forget Bing. Bing has been extremely helpful in providing webmasters with very clear guidelines for optimizing for mobile results. (Learn more at Bing Webmaster Tools)
- Organization. Organization. Organization. Create a solid hierarchy for your website content using mobile keywords as the basis for a silo architecture.
- Use schema.org markup whenever possible.
- Mobile Focused Browser Titles – When constructing your browser title keep it under 65 characters, unique to each page, with your targeted keyword first and your brand second.
To learn more specifically how to optimize your mobile website contact us and we’ll create a custom solution specifically for your application.