Think Small: Don’t Overlook Mobile SEO

The importance of search engine optimization for desktop users is a popular topic of conversation these days.  Simply ranking higher in a search engine can dramatically increase traffic and business.  On the other hand, sitting on Google’s page 14 isn’t going to do you much good.  Keeping up with the latest SEO techniques is imperative when it comes to establishing a strong web presence.

It is quite clear that computers must be catered to, mobile phones and tablets are often overlooked.  These mobile devices are becoming smaller and smaller, and as technology progresses exponentially, we can be sure that more change is coming.  It is imperative that we recognize the importance of SEO in mobile devices, desktop computers, and any other format to come.

If your website ranks high in Google, the device doesn’t matter, right?  Wrong.  Consider these 4 tips for developing a loyal mobile following:

1 – Optimize your website.  These days, the most successful websites also have mobile versions. Tech-savvy people are no longer limited to their homes or offices when it comes to browsing the internet.  Many people surf the internet on the bus to and from work, while out to eat, at a bar, or anywhere else that life takes them.  With mobile traffic growing so quickly, it is crucial to have a website that performs just as well on the go.

2 – Treat your mobile site with the respect that it deserves.  Just because your mobile website is on a smaller screen doesn’t mean it is worth less.  Spend the same effort on your mobile site as you spend on your desktop.  This means build a separate site map, submit it individually to Google webmasters, create searchable keywords that are cell-phone friendly (shorter, more concise), and simply treat it as its own entity.

3 – Keep your mobile site small, but don’t skimp on content.  Elaborate websites with moving banners and flash animations may be appealing on a desktop, but when it comes to mobile devices, simplicity is divine.  Make sure you maintain all of the same quality content that your desktop users expect, just keep it easily accessible.  Nobody is going to sit there for 5 minutes waiting for your site to crawl to usable.

4 – YouTube.  A quick look through Google’s mobile web index will reveal that most of the top results are from YouTube videos.  Use this to your advantage by linking to mobile-friendly videos.  You can put a call-to-action on screen at the end of the video, or during a topical part, allowing the user to move on to more relevant content.  Having a popular YouTube video is an easy and effective way to drive traffic to your mobile site.

I can’t count the amount of times I have tried to search for a well-known and respected website on my phone and found nothing, or at best a website that is difficult to navigate.  Things move fast when it comes to computer technology.  When you compare the phones today with last year even, it becomes quite clear how catering to mobile technology is absolutely essential.

Read more from Ronn Torossian:

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Ronn Torossian on Business Insider