When we talk about mobile optimization we refer to the measures that seek to improve the visualization of a website on smartphones. Lately, the concept of "mobile first" has become a priority in web design. This is due to the fact that more and more users access the internet using smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Below, we will tell you a little more about it so that you know how to apply it to your website.
What is mobile optimization?
Mobile optimization encompasses all measures that improve the user experience when browsing using mobile devices. In 2015 Google admitted that the majority of internet searches to from smartphones and tablets. By optimizing a website for mobile, you ensure that visitors navigate comfortably and get the content they are looking for.
Mobile optimization methods seek to adjust web content to the screens of smaller devices. There are several approaches to this type of optimization, including "mobile first" and "responsive design".
Importance of mobile optimization
Mobile optimization is a fundamental part of most SEO campaigns. Google's algorithms and Bing have identification signals that determine when a smartphone is used to search. This is important as their SERPs rank better for websites optimized for these devices.
Additionally, this type of optimization favors the flow of traffic to websites. Nowadays, most of the users prefers to surf using smartphones or tablets because they are portable. The convenience factor plays a determining role in choosing how and with what to access a website.
Mobile navigation features
To determine how to optimize a website for mobile devices it is necessary to understand what differentiates them from the computer. Below, we list some of the characteristics of the browsing experience from a smartphone or tablet.
Touch screen
Users do not navigate pages using a mouse, but with the screen using their fingers or a stylus. This makes them access information faster. Likewise, it can lead to unintentional clicks on pages with buttons or links that are too small.
Reduced speed
Although it is now common to find wi-fi connections almost everywhere, those using mobile devices tend to have slower connections. This is why it is important to use lightweight files or compressed versions that do not impair the loading speed of the website.
Limited compatibility
Some devices are not compatible with technologies such as Java or Flash. For this reason it is important to reduce their use as much as possible to avoid possible errors and failures within the site.
8 Tips for a good mobile optimization of your website
- Functional design
Focus on a user-friendly design style. While aesthetic appeal is important, it should not hinder visitors' navigation through the site. If you can't find a balance between both aspects, you can always consult our team of professionals at Geekobit.com.
- Join the responsive design
With this type of design your website will automatically adapt to the size of any screen. This way you ensure that all information and content is displayed correctly. In addition, by using this technology you make it easier for the Google search engine to crawl and index your website.
- Try to improve the speed of your website
Loading speed is one of the most important factors when optimizing a site for mobile devices. You can decrease waiting times by using compressed files or by reducing the code with CSS. By increasing the loading speed, you will improve the user experience and therefore the positioning of your website.
- Optimize images
It is important to avoid using images with resolutions that are too heavy, as they tend to slow down loading times. It is advisable to use a tool to reduce the resolution and scale the images to more appropriate and lighter sizes.
- Avoid pop-up windows
Excessive invasive pop-ups can have a negative effect on the user experience. Google penalizes sites that make indiscriminate use of this type of resource for advertising. Therefore, it is best to avoid using them or use them as little as possible.
- Adjusts font size and style
You must ensure that all information can be easily read from any device. It is advisable to use simple typography styles that do not tire the reader's eyes.
- Find a good hosting
More than half of the users abandon websites when they take more than a couple of seconds to load. The fastest and easiest way to optimize the speed of your site is to invest in a good hosting. There are several options to choose from, including: FastComet, A2 Hosting and Hostgator.
- Pay attention to buttons and other tactile targets.
Users often get frustrated when a site's buttons make it difficult for navigation to be natural and fluid. Try to make them the right size to access them comfortably without taking up too much screen space.
Common mistakes when optimizing websites for mobile devices
Complicated designs
It is important to maintain an attractive and understandable design style so that users can navigate easily. More than 50% of users admit to having abandoned a website because its design was too confusing. It is advisable to avoid using drop-down menus because they can also be uncomfortable for some visitors.
Compatibility errors
Some mobile browsers do not support technologies such as Silverlight and Flash, so they do not load correctly on certain smartphones and tablets. If you want to incorporate special content, effects or animations, HTML5 can be a good alternative.
Size too small
Although the aim is to improve the visualization of websites on small screens, the content must be easily perceived. Buttons that are too small can lead to unintentional clicks that are frustrating for some users. It is also important that the font size is legible to visitors without the need to zoom in.
Heavy files
File size is vital for mobile optimization. Data that is too large can slow down the loading speed and hinder the smoothness of the website. For this reason, it is essential to use lighter files, such as compressed images, for example.
