The ever-increasing usage of mobile phones paves the way for an increase in mobile traffic. Based on global mobile traffic statistics of February 2021 for market share, mobile is taking the lead of 55%, 42% for desktops, and the remaining for tablets. While many primarily consider website design compatible with desktops, this trend shows that businesses should pay attention to technical aspects in giving different user experiences, whether they are using a desktop, a tablet, or a mobile.
Getting your business a mobile-friendly website is now a must. Here are a few tips on how to make a desktop-only-website mobile-friendly:
1. Check The Status Of Your Current Website
Will it pass Google’s mobile-friendly test? Where does your website stand in mobile optimization?
Check how you are doing by going over Google Analytics. Choose Audience, Mobile and then, Overview / Devices. You will then see different devices and details that include duration of visit, bounce rate, and conversion rate.
While you have the details, check the friendliness of your website through Google’s test. Here, you will see whether you pass or fail. If you pass, your website is doing well. If you fail, go over the next steps.
2. Get A Solution
Choosing the best solution should also be based on the needs of your business. Though Google recommends a responsive web design, you may have other options such as dynamic serving, a separate website for mobiles, or a mobile app.
- Responsive Web Design: Google recommends this because this solution works for all devices. You will use the same URL while the layout responds to the device the user is using. The height, width, resolution, and other aspects adjust on their own. You only get to maintain a single content, thus making it more accessible in the long run. However, you might need to redesign the structure beforehand.
- Dynamic Serving: Unlike the single content for responsive web design, dynamic serving has created specific content for a specific device. It uses another HTML and CSS, and it all depends on the device used. For instance, you get to choose not to show heavy-weight content on mobile devices.
- Separate Website: This solution redirects the user to a mobile-specific URL. Getting a separate website specifically designed for mobile phones enables flexibility on the side of business owners. You get to choose or emphasize details that mobile users need – such as location, contact numbers, operating hours, etc.
- Mobile App: This refers to a separate application for mobile users. It performs a lot better than mobile websites and is an excellent way to establish your brand. Though costly, mobile apps have the highest success rate.
3. Employ SEO Practices And Avoid Common Mistakes
In providing the solution to your mobile-aspect feature, you need to keep in mind that the screens of mobile phones are small. They have smaller processors and less bandwidth, and of course, people zoom in and out using their fingers. Thus, you need to employ the best practices of SEO:
- Page Speed: A healthy website loads content fast within 2.5 seconds. Otherwise, it would be best if you make improvements.
- Code in HTML5: Use software suitable for mobile phones.
- Do Not Use Heavy Images and Ads: Large-sized images and ads affect page speed. Resize your images and use only the most necessary details.
- Easy-to-find Navigation Buttons: They should be easy to find and tap on, even on a mobile phone’s small touchscreen. As much as possible, it should not require the users to exert extra effort to zoom in and out to touch the buttons to go to another page or to check out the items.
- Fit on the Screen: Contents should flow on the screen well that users do not need to scroll horizontally.
- Readable Texts: Fonts and sizes should be large enough to be seen on mobile screens. Fonts should be simple to avoid confusing content.
- Aid Tapping: Do not place links close to one another.
- Image Alt Tags: In cases where the image itself is blocked, alt tags provide information on the details of images.
- Searchable Site: Use tags to help your site’s searchability.
- Jump Links: Minimizes the need to scroll, thus saving time for the user.
- Call-to-Action Buttons: These link directly to your contact number to help increase conversion.
- Do not Block JavaScript or CSS: Blocking JavaScript or CSS results in poor rankings, according to Google.
- Avoid Frames: Frames make it hard for the user to crawl into your website, whether on desktop or mobile.
- Avoid Faulty Redirects: Google gets reports on wrong URLs. Thus, it will do your ranking no good.
- Avoid 404s: Ensure that the page is equivalent to the desktop pages.
- Manage Pop-Ups: Ensure that pop-ups do not spoil the user experience. Pop-ups on another window make it harder to switch in between tabs or pages.
- Do Not Push Users to Download Your App: It may prevent them from browsing your site and create a negative user experience.
4. Employ SEO Tools
Aside from having a mobile-friendly website design, you need to make use of SEO tools. Ranking on search engine results requires the proper use of keywords related to your business. Include keywords in the app description and app title for a better rank.
Get A Mobile-Friendly Website Designed by Experts
Transitioning a website for mobile use requires effort and knowledge; hiring SEO experts who know how to make a website mobile-friendly is the wisest move for your business. It increases positive user experience and creates a better opportunity for your business to rank well in search engine results.
We at Advanced Digital Media Services do all of these for you. We are an SEO company that specializes in designing, developing, and ranking your website. We do everything you need for your website. Call us today to see why we are a perfect fit for your digital needs.
