When thinking about mobile search and SEO optimization, the most important thing to remember is that mobile visitors are able to find what they’re looking for in a way that best fits their device.
Mobile and PCs are very different.
It’s clear that mobile devices and PCs are not created equally. Mobile and PC users search for different things, which is why it behooves companies and businesses to make the mobile experience as useful and easy to use as possible.
Location, location, location.
One of the key differentiators between desktop SEO and mobile SEO is the location-specificity of smartphones.
For example, good mobile SEO homes in on the types of searches that are typically done on-the-go such as mobile coupons, shopping and restaurant searches and roadside assistance, just to name a few.
According to Neilsen research, 74% of mobile users utilize a search engine during their purchase process and 83% of mobile users intend to make a purchase within a day, 55% of consumers want to purchase within the hour.
Keywords and content are king.
Also, the ease in which a user can search for something as well as the actual content of mobile sites are two driving factors in mobile SEO optimization. To start, target keywords may be shorter in length to account for the shorthand user behavior on mobile devices.
As for content, the search engine rankings for your mobile-friendly site or app are contingent on keyword density, so make sure your site is liberally peppered with keywords. Also, content should be succinct, compelling and regularly updated.
There are three basic stages to compelling content: 1) Content that promotes and sells your company and its goods and services, 2) Content that includes in-depth product/service information and offers, 3) Giveaways and other offers.
The need for speed.
Your mobile site should load in 1 second on a mobile device. In August 2013, Google announced speed guidelines for smartphone sites.
Google recommends that key content that is visible without scrolling, also know as “above the fold,” should be delivered and displayed immediately.