Conquer Mobile SEO

The Web is going mobile! There is no question that mobile is becoming a major player in Internet Marketing.  The real question is, how can you make sure your website is mobile ready?  By 2013 more people will be accessing the internet via mobile phones than on personal computers.

Search Engine Optimization has always been a wild beast "“ difficult to tame, impossible to predict. The introduction of Mobile Internet adds a whole new facet to this already complex equation. How can you optimize for mobile traffic?

Mobile SEO Best Practices:

Are there really special rules for mobile search engine optimization? Unfortunately, yes. Mobile devices have yet to standardize, and browsers struggle to convert websites into mobile sites. How can you optimize your website for mobile traffic?

1. Predictive Search. According to Google's research, the average query on Mobile Search is 15 characters long, but takes roughly 30 key presses and approximately 40 seconds to enter. This means that search engines don't have a lot to work with when tasked with providing the user with an experience that roughly equates to the quality of desktop search. 
   

   One way in which Google and others are compensating for this lack of keyword action is by providing what's known as 'predictive search' (or 'predictive phrase/query suggestions') in order to help users complete their queries more easily and to help them deliver more relevant search results. Just as you might try to identify a set of keyword categories to align yourself with in the desktop web, it's now extremely important to place yourself in the most common 'predictive search phrases' that are related to your business and location.
2. Feature Presentation.  Identify which content categories are being selected for 'featured presentation' results and embed this kind of thinking into the way your content is rendered, so you can increase your chances of being a 'feature pick.' In order to compensate for small screen sizes, search engines are dividing the presentation of their results content into new location- and category-based design layouts. Basically, location is more important than ever, and this combined with your site's "Ëœcategory' will affect whether you are ranked at the top of the results. It isn't just about site popularity, so it is a more level playing field for big and small businesses.
3. Avoid Transcoding. If you're serious about your mobile users and developing a mobile SEO strategy, it's best to deliver a top-notch, standards-compliant site so that you avoid any search engine transcoding.  Transcoding happens when a browser attempts to convert your regular website into a mobile site. What can happen if your website isn't mobile friendly? Your site visitors could be bookmarking incorrect URLS, keeping them from being able to find your site again. Or worse, a poor site representation could mean they will leave and never WANT to return.
4. Directory Searches Matter. Submit your site to all of the most relevant portals, directories and business listings services as these places are also extremely important sources of mobile traffic.  Like the early desktop web, users are happy to take some guidance to overcome their navigational challenges (lack of time, small form factors and screen size restraints). Search may not even be the number one activity on the list when a user is trying to locate stuff on the mobile web: their primary interface is likely to be their operators' portal or a bunch of pre-packaged vertical directories.
5. Site Encoding. Make sure your website is ready for the search engines on the code level. Your webmaster should be familiar with mobile specifications for sites. Google has posted information for developers to help them ensure sites are being properly ranked and displayed in mobile searches. Responsive Design is the most popular way to handle both computer and mobile device traffic.  

Make sure your website is ready for mobile users!

Thanks to MobiThinking for many of these great tips.