Last week I attended Google’s Go Mobile webinar. I’ve been researching mobile for about a year and understand how quickly the market is growing (to put it mildly!). In fact, it’s said “mobile is ramping up much faster than any other technology we have seen.” (by Mary Meeker, Kleiner Perkins)
I’ve also been learning how to build mobile websites so they are optimized for search engines and for the people using them – particularly designed to help them find what their looking for online. Desktop and mobile users have different reasons for going online.
Smart business owners take that to heart and provide the best user experience either way!
So what did Google have to say about Mobile Optimization? Here’s an outline of what was discussed on the Go Mobile “Best Practices” webinar:
- By the end of 2011 over half of Americans will have a smart phone.
- 79% of large online advertisers do not have a mobile optimized site. (Yet!)
.Go Mobile – Best Practices:
- Keep it quick loading (i.e. compress images, prioritize content, use bullets sr buttons – not bulky copy)
- Simplify navigation (have a clear hierarchy, avoid scrolling and rollovers)
- Be “thumb-friendly”
- Design for visibility (High contrast, have content fit screen, no need for pinching or zooming)
- Make it accessible (Fit horizontal or vertical views, no flash)
- Make it easy to convert (Click to call, minimal typing needed)
- Make it local (Address, directions, map)
- Make it seamless (Maintain key features)
- Use mobile site redirects (Automatically detect and redirect for mobile devices)
- Test, get feedback and continuously improve the experience
Great News…
At the end of the Go Mobile webinar was a Q&A. I had heard that Google had a separate search engine for mobile, so I asked about that. They answered that there is not a separate search engine for mobile but there is a Google mobile bot that checks for mobile optimization.
The search results on a mobile device would be different than regular SERPS, just like local search is different.
Right now, with 79% of large online advertisers without a mobile optimized site, and from what I’ve learned, 91% of all sites not optimized, getting a MUCH better position in Google results for a mobile optimized site is up for grabs! (hint hint!)
If you’re interested in talking about a mobile website for your business, I offer free consultations. Contact me through my contact form and we’ll set up a time to talk. I’m offering special pricing for a limited time. (And I have mobile sites to show you.)
Your turn…
Have you thought about taking advantage of what a mobile site can do for your online presence?
Is your site mobile optimized?
Awesome, this is like cutting edge. I’m just beginning with a couple of sites and blogs. It would make sense for me to start learning this.
Steve recently posted..Definitions, Natural Law part 1
No, My site is not mobile optimized and we’re considering it seriously so in coming days it’ll be. thanks for your inputs.
Aanchal recently posted..Web Design India
I was thinking, is it better to really to browse the web on mobile phones than the pc? Because for me browsing it in my phones is such a waste of time and I can’t see everything.
Mark recently posted..Blogging Tо The Bank Reboot Review-By Rob Benwell
Well, my site is not mobile optimized more than I just made the basic settings for mobile
. That is some interesting facts and info you are sharing, I was not aware of Google mobile bot either!
Anna recently posted..Tooth bridge – as seen in old ladies’ mouths
Well, my site is not mobile optimized more than I just have made the basic settings for mobile
. That is some interesting facts and info you are sharing, I was not aware of Google mobile bot either!
Anna recently posted..Tooth bridge – as seen in old ladies’ mouths
Thanks for the resources. Mobile marketing is really the “in” thing today that every niches should learn.
For me, having your sites optimized is a great move. I love to read interesting posts and I sometimes do it using my mobile phone.
I have noticed that I am getting more and more mobile traffic to my blog. And it is sticky traffic. Despite my blog not being optimised for mobile.
I have tried one or two mobile plugins in the past. But I still haven’t found one that I am completely happy with.
Paul Profitt recently posted..Should I Start A Blog On Affiliate Marketing?
Mobile is the best way to spread any word now a days weather it is technology or something else. This is a great idea to optimize a site for mobile. I have never ever thought of it. Thank you for this interesting post and idea.
Azad recently posted..Chopper Tattoo – What Kind of Tattoo Designs?
That is pretty cool you got into that webinar. The mobile thing blows me away. I was surprised when I heard the stats a few years ago about how much more mobile there was then computers.
Dave Pilgrim recently posted..Free Itouch App called Drake’s Tower
I must go moblie too!!!! only my theme doesn’t support it…need to find a new theme for that. do you happen to know any?
Larissa recently posted..How to Look Natural MakeUp Tips
Thats great Cutting edge technology. thanks for sharing this.
Through this news we can say that it’s important to optimise his website for mobile phone, if not it can be ignore by smartphone user.
Deb, Will you be on the cutting edge of this and writing more about it? I really do think it will be important.
Steve recently posted..Lose weight during the Holidays?
Thanks for informing me about the Best Practices while mobilizing your site. I really needed some ideas. I think this will change the way technology works. Buying and selling will also increase with increased number of people using web on mobile.
Steve recently posted..Look For Funny Stress Quotes to Fight Back Against Stress
Very informative article Deb! Please keep updating. I feel making the mobile site local is very important as it results in increased access for customers. Can you tell me more about Google mobile bot?
John recently posted..Will My Ex Come Back ?
Hi Deb, times are accelerating and people move faster doing actions directly from the mobile so I guess it is a “must” optimizing here… Thanks for the info and good luck!
Ravit recently posted..Best colors for small rooms
I totally agree with you Ravit. Thank you for sharing this reply with us.
Luanna recently posted..mijn homepage
I’ve noticed that before on my smartphone, when something pops up in my head and I immediately search it on my phone, so I did search for it then a few hours later I went at it again on my computer but showed different results. Even when we watch on youtube on our phones, it doesn’t show all the videos that we are looking for. It’s a bit intriguing for me, I wonder what the reason is behind the whole thing.
So yeah, I think we should all optimize our sites for both.
Words coming from Google hold serious weight and I appreciate you taking the time to summarize this webinar! I am bummed I missed out on it.
The future of mobile is certainly exciting. I need to get my act together and start ensuring my site meet these criteria.
Melanie recently posted..How is This Work Related?
Hi Deb,
I recently helped a friend optimize his site for mobile. Surprisingly, it was the forum that gained the biggest increase in traffic. It makes sense though, as I often visit forums if I have to wait somewhere for a long time. I know a lot of site owners have been putting off optimizing their sites, but now is definitely the time to get on the bandwagon.
Frank Bowes recently posted..Why Backup Online?
Mobile browsers are growing really fast and I hear from many web owners that they are thinking of optimizing their website for these new users. In no doubt, soon enough it will be difficult to have a successful and profitable site unless they optimize their site for mobile phone users. Creating a mobile-friendly version of my site sounds a little a frightening task; Thank you Deb for your willingness to offer us your help. You’re very generous.
Nick Sotos recently posted..Marmot Limelight 3 Person Tent Review and Coupon
Wow well you could partially say that you can do that with any website hehe, just look at google.com!
Well I’m kindof exaggerating right now but I wonder if the users would actually prefer the websites for their computers being built in the same way as for the mobile phones.. However that might be tricky and put people off since they might perceive the lack of content on there if they access it via their computers….
Argh! I’m not ready for mobile! Everything changes so fast these days. I just wrap my head around one thing and it either changes or progresses beyond what I learned.
Just kidding (sort of). Mobile is important! Thanks for the info about it.
Dawn RaSchell recently posted..6 Tips for Writing Better Articles