Before we begin to discuss the tips that improve the SEO of a mobile website, let's keep this on top of our mind - on-the-go mobile users have different requirements as compared to desktop or laptop users. Definitely, mobile SEO is still in its nascent stage. But we can always expect mobile-specific search engines (Google Mobile, Yahoo Mobile, Bing Mobile, Ask Mobile etc) to evolve more and more with time.
Though mobile search engines will always function depending on what's fed into them, there are several new dimensions that we should always take into consideration to enhance the SEO of mobile websites.
Given below are four key tips that you can focus on, while trying to optimize a website for mobile device users.
#1. Apply the Traditional On-Page Optimization Techniques
Mobile SEO is not entirely different from traditional website SEO, at least as far as on-page optimization is concerned. While creating a site for mobile users, you can apply all the key on-page search optimization techniques like using title tags, meta tags, alt tags, URL structure and the anchor text structure. You should always remember to include the potential industry-related keywords in all these places to increase your site's visibility in mobile search engines.
#2. Focus on Short-Tail Keywords (and Abbreviations)
This is yet another important part of mobile SEO that you should be really careful about. According to Google, the average mobile user wonrsquo;t type or enter more than 15 characters to search something. Now, this is something that makes mobile SEO both exciting as well as fun. This is where you need to use your creative skills to target the keywords right and influence the mobile search engines.
Though smart phones feature QWERTY keyboards, mobile-device users exist in a different kind of environment. While on the move, mobile users are really very impatient to retrieve the kind of information they are looking for. They will simply not bother about typing long-tail keywords, using a lot of abbreviations at the same time. Thatrsquo;s why SEO developers should focus on short-tail or abbreviated keywords (that consumer fewer seconds of the user's time).
#3. Think of Page Load Time (and Normal Page Rendering)
Though mobile internet access speed is improving, different mobile device users access the web via different types of networks. Thatrsquo;s exactly why you should really pay careful attention to the page load time. It's always advisable to avoid the use of Flash or JavaScript, as many mobile platforms donrsquo;t support them. Instead, you should use XHTML and CSS. In this way, you can also ensure a higher compatibility across a wide range of mobile operation systems and web browsers.
Image file sizes also play an important role in terms of load time and page rendering. While using images, you need to pay careful attention to ensuring they are really vital. You can't use images only for the sake of enhancing the overall appearance of the page. While minimizing the use of images, you should remember to resize them as well to improve the load time. In any case, you should always limit the page size to 20 Kb.
#4. Optimize for Location-Based Searches
Location or the specificity of task of a mobile user is another important thing that mobile-centric SEO developers need to take into consideration. Depending on a mobile userrsquo;s current location, search engines are trying to deliver instantly accessible information. If you want your mobile website to make the maximum impact, you should optimize it to appear in the list of location-related links.
If you run a local or small business, local search optimization should remain a top priority in your mobile SEO strategy. With the ever-growing usage of the mobile internet, location happens to be the soul of mobile search queries.
Do you have some more tips in mind? Please don't hesitate to share your opinions on mobile SEO in the comment section below.
