Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
How Small Businesses Can Take Advantage of Mobile SEO
Thursday, July 01, 2010 by Matt Hymel
As computing devices evolve from large, box-like machines to
sleek, mobile creations, software is forced to adopt to specific
hardware capabilities. While some products have failed to adopt the
rapid growth of technology hardware, the internet is one utility
that can't afford to fall behind in adaptation. The internet
triggered a movement for information - not only while sitting at a
desk, but while standing in a line or going on a trip. The problem
went from "how to provide a massive amount of information" to "how
to provide a specific piece of information at the right
moment".
Here is where mobile devices evolved into mobile internet
devices - cell phones became smartphones, laptops became netbooks,
and household devices became easy internet access points. The user
experience expanded from a PC with a 10 inch screen to Macs with
24" screens, smartphones with 5" screens, or tablets with varying
screen sizes.
One thing remains the same - every user demands an effortless
experience from one device to another. In other words, the required
content should be the same on your computer as it is your
phone.
Some small businesses don't have the luxury or resources to
monitor and adjust to the evolving technology industry. SEO is an
important part in marketing an online business, and users are
searching for products and services on a mobile device now more
than ever, and relying on their location to help make the
transition easier. Here are a few tips to consider before your
small business dives head first into the advancing mobile search
market:
Use SEO resources to build your main website
page. In an article over at SearchEngineWatch.com, Gareth
Owen points out that Google has a separate index for mobile devices. This is
important because until certain questions are answered in the SEO
world, Google will allow users to access the same information
across all equipment platforms. While some experiences may be more
fitted for an internet browser on a computer monitor, only time
will tell if small businesses (or any website in general) will
require adjustments to vamp their site experience quality and SEO
rank on mobile devices.
Concentrate on location-specific keywords.
Google has made it clear through its Google Maps and Google Places
executions that location is a critical component in search. Users
want products and services that are easy to obtain and relative to
their area. This is where small business services can benefit
significantly - marketing to a specific city or area can get you on
the first page of certain search terms and these local clients tend
to show strong customer loyalty and willingness to spread your
company via word of mouth.
Monitor your website's compatibility on various
devices. Being online has its advantages in that you can
monitor the traffic to your site and adjust SEO goals to specific
targeted markets. However, one aspect that is still difficult to
oversee is the device from which they access your company
information. If a small business provides customer-oriented
products, ask your customers how they repeatedly experience your
product, service, or brand - you may be surprised to hear their
device of choice, but if your current buyers are on these devices,
shouldn't you optimize a website for this specific experience?
Be patient and follow your client/user
feedback. Like any good business venture, ask your users
what they like, need, don't like, and don't need. Mobile SEO is
still under the microscope in terms of how big companies like
Google and Microsoft intend on indexing and offering paid search
options. Optimizing your search capabilities on a tablet may not be
a worthy investment for a company that targets a generation of
users that constantly uses smartphones, or vice versa. As the field
thins out, small business SEO will be another business choice that
requires research and specialist experience. Remember that SEO
results can come within a few weeks or a few years, but marketing
your small business website on the internet is a must in today's
technology-heavy (and internet infested) society.
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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