Why your website must be optimised for mobile

Increasingly people are using mobile phones as their go-to device for searching online. In the UK alone nearly 40% use this as their preferred option. So, if you’re not optimised, you could be losing almost half of your potential traffic! 

What is mobile optimisation? 

Mobile first is the practice of developing websites for mobile users in mind first. This is done through coding, imagery and layout changes. Web builders and developers adapt your website so it works equally as well for mobile users as for those using desktops. 

Why do mobile optimisation? 

Google has been pushing this for years and it will help with your ranking with search engines putting you above your competition. They stated with their update back in 2015 “the mobile-friendly update boosts mobile search rankings for pages that are legible and usable on mobile devices.” This means that if you’re wanting any page on your website to start reaching the higher rankings on Google, you’ll need to ensure they’re fully optimised.  

Using a website on a mobile where everything looks how it would on a desktop may display too many things to click on, that text requires zooming, panning or unnecessary movements to make readable. You’ll be up against “The Five Second Test” which is a belief in usability and website design that the first five seconds a person visits your website is all they need to decide if it’s worth staying for. If the user can’t find what they need, or their mobile screen is a mess, they’ll look elsewhere. 

How to optimise your website 

Below are some key points our search engine experts have recommended, along with some resources to bring your website up to speed: 

• Functionality. Web builders and developers can make changes to the website to improve the speed and functionality for mobile users and drive potential customers to your products and services. 
• Web development. Most web builders do come with some level of mobile optimisation, but you may be required to know some level of coding and web development for changing website design and layout. If you don’t have these options for your website creator, you will need to use one that allows changes to be made.  
• AMP optimisation. An ongoing project to benefit mobile pages to make them fast and functional, by creating new mobile user specific URLs that are optimised for mobile users. This process includes many points about good mobile conduct, such as page speed, Java and CSS improvements, avoiding Flash, removing pop-ups and the idea of “fat finger design”. Read more here.

• Responsive design. The preferred method of layout changes, meaning your website won’t have to go through massive design changes and will stay consistent with your brand whilst looking similar to both your desktop and mobile sites.  
• Local search focus. Mobile primarily tries to search based on proximity so you’ll need to be optimising for your location. With most businesses or customers preferring to work with others who are near to them, this should improve results.  
• Google Search Console: Try Google’s mobile usability tool. If this gives you errors, they would most likely fall under these categories: 

Not sure if your website is optimised or how to fix it? Don’t despair, we can help! Contact us by e-mailing enquiries@secretsourcemarketing.com, phone us on 01522 700266 or leave your details below and we’ll be in touch.