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Follow these steps to enhance the user experience and drive more traffic

Mobile-friendly websites have gone from nice-to-have to must-have, as more users access websites on their smartphones. It’s also an important parameter as far as SEO is concerned. Keep reading to learn how to optimize your website.

Why every business needs a mobile-friendly website

80% of the top-ranked websites are mobile-friendly
60% of smartphone users have contacted a business directly using search results
The top technical SEO tactic used by marketers is optimizing mobile performance

3 ways to cater to web traffic from mobile devices

Responsive design: website adapts to the screen size to serve the content
Dynamic serving: purpose-built versions of the website for each device
Mobile app: dedicated app with features & functionality for mobile users

6 steps to optimize your website for mobile

1 Switch to a mobile-responsive theme

Design/ Select a responsive template in your website builder or content management system
Specify widths for HTML elements as percentages (of the screen) instead of pixels

2 Ensure the layout is thumb-operable

Should be simple to navigate without the need for pinch and zoom
Choose CTA button sizes and placement (avoid corners) wisely
Space out hyperlinks on the page to prevent accidental taps

3 Streamline and make the content crisper

Eliminate large chunks of text to retain the reader’s attention
Substitute text with commonly-used symbols and icons where feasible
Pay attention to typography and visual hierarchy to aid comprehension

4 Simplify navigation and form-fills

Shorten forms to ask for only essential information, turn off autocorrect
Reduce the number of menu options and make them concise
Include a search bar to help users find what they need easily

5 Prioritize the page loading speed

53% of users will leave a mobile page if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load
Compress images to best fit the mobile resolution and aspect ratio
Host videos with a third party such as YouTube and then embed on your site

6 Avoid Flash and unnecessary pop-ups

Use modern standards such as HTML5/ WebGL as major browsers no longer support Adobe Flash
Reduce or disable pop-ups to improve the mobile user experience

Get started by testing your current website

Use Google’s free online tool https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly to check if your site is mobile-friendly or not.

To build a responsive website with a mobile-first approach or to optimize your existing website, or to develop a web solution tailored to your marketing goals, click here.

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