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Why is mobile search engine optimization (SEO) important? Is my site mobile friendly?

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Question added by Mohammed Ashraf , Director of International Business , Saqr Al-Khayala Group
Date Posted: 2016/04/10
Shaikha Ali AlSowaidi
by Shaikha Ali AlSowaidi , Owner / Marketing Consultant , Marketing Consulting (Company Confidential)

Mobile SEO is vital to today's users because most of us use our smartphones to check our emails, pull up websites, and to find information. All sites need to be optimized for mobile, in my opinion. We live life on the go and usually in such a hurry that getting online via our computers at home is nearly impossible. Being a business with a site that has been optimized for mobile gives you leverage over the competition that may not have thought ahead to have an optimized site for mobile. Just research the numbers and see how many people actually do all of their web browsing by phone. There are analysis software programs to help you find that information out, and I highly recommend using it.

Vaiyapuri Gopalakrishnan
by Vaiyapuri Gopalakrishnan , Manager - After Sales , M/s Saud Bahwan Automotive llc

It’s increasingly important for businesses to have a mobile-friendly website. Not only can it help customers reach you more easily when they’re on the go, but it will soon impact search engine optimization.

Google recently started unrolling a feature that will inform Internet users whether the site they are about to open is mobile-friendly, Search Engine Land noted. Websites that have been optimized for mobile viewing will get an endorsement from the company. This move will likely encourage mobile-users to click on sites that are labeled “mobile friendly,” and give these websites a further boost on results pages.

ow to gain the mobile-friendly labelImplement a responsive design that will change the layout based on what type of device someone is browsing with. To determine if a size qualifies as mobile friendly, Google indicates the following criteria:

  • Avoid use of software not common on mobile devices, like Flash
  • Use text that can be read without zooming
  • Size content to screen so users don’t have to resize it
  • Links are far apart so they can easily be tapped

If you’re still not sure whether or not your website is mobile friendly, or what you need to change, use Google’s mobile-friendly test.

Mohammed  Ashraf
by Mohammed Ashraf , Director of International Business , Saqr Al-Khayala Group

Mobile SEO is more important than ever, given that a growing number of search queries are conducted on mobile devices. In fact, Google has just announced that there are officially more search queries conducted on mobile devices than on personal computers. Businesses need to get in tune with mobile audiences by optimizing sites and content specifically for them. Creating a responsive site that automatically adapts to mobile settings is a key way to not only improve the experience of your mobile users, but earn Google’s mobile-friendly distinction.

TARIG BABIKER AL AMIN
by TARIG BABIKER AL AMIN , Head of Planning and Studies Unit , Sudanese Free Zones and Markets Co.

Mobile optimization is the process of ensuring that visitors who access your site from mobile devices have an experience optimized for the device

Every year people spend more and more time on their mobile devices and tablets, but many websites still aren't designed to account for different screen sizes and load times. Mobile optimization takes a look at site design, site structure, page speed, and more to make sure you're not inadvertently turning mobile visitors away

Khalid Ghaffar
by Khalid Ghaffar , Consultant for Business Development , Waters Corporation USA

Mobile SEO Best Practices

If your site is already well optimized for search engines, there are only a few additional things that you need to think about when optimizing for mobile.

Page speed

Because of hardware and connectivity issues, page speed is even more important for mobile users than desktop users. Beyond optimizing images, you'll want to minify code, leverage browser caching, and reduce redirects.

Don't block CSS, JavaScript, or images

In the old days, some mobile devices couldn't support all of these elements, so webmasters of mobile sites blocked one or all three. But for the most part that's no longer true, and the Smartphone GoogleBot wants to be able to see and categorize the same content that users do. So don't hide it. These elements are also critical to helping Google understand if you have a responsive site or a different mobile solution.

Site design for mobile

Mobile devices are simplifying and revolutionizing the ways sites are designed. "Above the fold" no longer has meaning in a world where we scroll endlessly

Don't use Flash

The plugin may not be available on your user's phone, which means they'll miss out on all the fun. If you want to create special effects, use HTML5 instead.

Don't use pop-ups either

It can be difficult and frustrating to try and close these on a mobile device. This might lead to a high bounce rate.

Design for the fat finger

Touch screen navigation can lead to accidental clicks if your buttons are too big, too small, or in the path of a finger that's trying to get the page to scroll.

Optimize titles and meta descriptions

Remember that you're working with less screen space when a user searches using a mobile device. To show off your best work in SERPS, be as concise as possible (without sacrificing the quality of the information) when creating titles, URLs, and meta descriptions.

Use Schema.org structured data

Because of the limited screen space, a search result with rich snippets is even more likely to stand out than on a desktop. Read more about Schema.org structured data.

Optimize for local search

 

If your business has a local element, remember to optimize your mobile content for local search. This includes standardizing your name, address, and phone number and including your city and state name in your site's metadata. More information on local SEO can be found here.

د Waleed
by د Waleed , Management - Leadership-Business Administration-HR&Training-Customer Service/Retention -Call Center , Multi Companies Categories: Auditing -Trade -Customer service -HR-IT&Internet -Training&Consultation

I would agree with the answers .. They provided helpful tips and covered your question  !

 

Thank You for the invitation

Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi
by Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi , Shared Services Supervisor , Saudi Musheera Co. Ltd.

agree with ur answer sir                     .

Hisham Hashim
by Hisham Hashim , Business Development Manager , RAS SERVICES P.L.C

Thank you for the invitation. I agree with the answered forwarded by the experts.

Rami Assaf
by Rami Assaf , loading and Storage Operations Supervisor , Arab Potash Company

Thanks for invitation

 

I am agree with your answer my colleague’s Mr Mohammed Ashraf you gives us good answers

مها شرف
by مها شرف , معلمة لغة عربية , وزارة التربية السورية

I agree with Mr Mohamad ashraf answers, thanks for the invitation. 

Mohamed Helal
by Mohamed Helal , Project Manager , GROUP CONSULT INTERNATIONAL

agree with expert's answers

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