How to Optimize Your Site for Mobile

By the end of 2013, there will be 1.4 billion smartphones in use. There is no doubt that mobile platforms are slowly becoming a dominent force in the website and web design world. What this means for website owners is that mobile is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and we need to start optimizing for mobile.

Here is an example of a simple, but effective mobile website. Aussie Cushion is an Australian-based company that sells designed or custom cushions. It’s a clean and easy-to-use site that is optimized for mobile devices.

In order to optimize for a mobile website, there are a few things to consider. Looking over the mobile website data of eight million Yola users, we’ve found that there are two common reasons people look for a business on their phone:

1. Phone Calls — At the end of the day, people will still want to talk to a real person for answers. Smartphone users will search online for a company’s phone number to quickly give that business a call.
2. Directions — People en route to a location  will often search a mobile website to look up, or confirm, the address or to get directions.

When optimizing for mobile, make sure that these two features are displayed prominently. A smartphone user should come to your site and be able to easily click to call or to see a map and directions.

There are more subtle differences as well. For example, in a mobile-optimized website, your content appears in a single column. If you don’t have a phone number or a physical place of business, you should configure your mobile site to your liking.

Keep in mind that one of the key benefits of having a mobile-optimized website is that your customers can contact you easily on the go. It’s a huge plus for your customers  and big win for you as a business owner by providing easy accessibility to reach you. Just think of the 1.4 billion people that you can reach easily.