10 Tips to Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices
The use of smartphones and tablets as the first tools to access the Internet has already overcome the option of using desktops and notebooks, which clearly proves that you need a mobile site properly prepared to meet this demand. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing a lot of traffic and many business closures. But it’s not enough just to have a mobile site, have you? Optimizing it is just as important as creating it, since most online consumers are prone to leaving their mark behind if they have a bad experience in that environment. But how to do this optimization so as not to lose visitors and conversions? Check it out right now in this post:
Light weight when loading pages
Do you remember that until some time ago flash websites were fashionable? But this type of feature always made the loading time of the pages much bigger, as well as the possibility of locking, since it needed a very good internet connection to deal with the animations difficult situation to find in the mobile universe. In this way, the solution is to invest in flat design, that is, in clean layouts, with few features and well structured, giving priority to white space and meaningful messages, excluding everything that is superfluous and thus keeping your visitor connected for longer.
Relevance of URLs
URLs are also part of a site’s optimization, and can be much more assertive. That way, in addition to saving space, time and effort, you catch the attention of search engines for the URL keyword, increasing the attractiveness of your mobile site in organic search results.
A single URL responsive design allows you to deliver the same content to users from a single URL, regardless of device. This means that Google needs to crawl only one version of your website, making it easier for them to find and rate your content. You also avoid interrupting the user experience when they click the mobile link (possibly shared through social media or email) on a computer. Instead of maintaining two websites, you can keep only one set of features.
Selection of offers in access
Those who have an e-commerce, for example, can optimize the mobile version by reducing the number of offers on the first page. So, instead of offering multiple products at once, how about putting in evidence those that you know have more output or those you want to launch into the market at the moment? Whether your business is for services, highlighting a specific plan or comparing two or three options is also a way to optimize your mobile site and increase conversions, since you reduce the range of options for consideration.
Adopting a smart search tool
Since the mobile site has little space to divulge solutions, it is necessary to have a smart search tool highlighted and easy to access right on the user’s first screen. So, if he already knows what he’s looking for, it’s much easier to type in a keyword than scrolling the screen indefinitely until he finds what he wants.
Enjoy the power of Geo-location
As many consumers search for products and services in the region where they are located, Geo-location ends up being a great ally in the optimization of your site for the mobile. For instance, a mobile site in Dubai must consider the audience and visitors from Middle East for customized services. So, if the user has GPS on, his company is identified much more easily, and can increase the number of conversions just by appearing on the map, attracting customers to his physical store.
One-click distance
If you sell through the internet, you know that e-commerce is one of the markets that has greater access by mobile devices. So, invest in a quick and agile checkout, preferably with the option to buy with just 1 click. Thus, the consumer saves time and you do not lose the sale because it does not give the customer space to reconsider the purchase.
Content optimization
The content you share on your site should also be optimized for the mobile environment as people search for fast, clear information on those devices. That way, instead of creating a 500-word post, how about condensing one information into 150 words, saving the time of your visitors? That way, you remain relevant with content and still attracted by assertiveness!
Loading time of your pages
Page load time is paramount in the tablet and smartphone user experience – be aware that patience is not a feature that is so prevalent in this audience. So, make sure the aperture speed is correct, use the PageSpeed Insights tool that Google has made available, and take advantage of the suggestions put out to make it faster.
Charging time is important, especially in mobile devices and the Brazilian market, where the vast majority still use 3G. Because responsive design uses a single URL for all of your pages on any device, you do not need to deploy a redirect to any page element or create a specific view of the mobile device, which helps speed the visitor experience.
Also, if you use responsive design, you can skip the next tip: when your site is already responsive, there’s no need to worry about it.
Relevant text
In an attempt to shrink content so that it fits into other resolutions, many people make the mistake of hiding important information or even using abbreviations. Work on the simplicity of passing information, not the idea of shortening lines.
To be found in the search, it is very important that Google spiders can crawl your JavaScript, CSS and image files. Make sure you do not accidentally block any page component (CSS, JavaScript, and images) from using robots.txt or any other method, otherwise Google’s algorithms will not be able to crawl your content.
Have you visited a website on your mobile phone where uploaded content exceeds the width of the screen, requiring scrolling down and up, zoom in and zoom out, so you can read the text? This does not greatly help the user experience.
Bullet points – markers that help organize content
Think with practicality – whoever accesses your site through the mobile version expects to find quick answers. For this reason, use lists and make it easier to organize your content with bullet points, dare on creativity, and think about a fun and engaging design for them.
Optimizing your site for mobile devices is essential to your growth. Keep in mind that mobile devices already have a percentage recognized by online purchases, and that even consumers who have not yet made any purchases use them as an important source of inquiry. Adapting to new technologies, therefore, is not considered a competitive differential but a duty of the entrepreneur who wants to grow in this universe.
Author Bio:
Sarah Feldman is the Marketing Manager of Digital Express, a Digital Marketing Agency in Dubai, which offers web design, development and digital marketing solutions. Sarah has 7 years of experience in digital marketing, especially in the web and mobile app development sector.