The Importance of Mobile SEO for Contractors
The digital age we live in is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, everything is just a click away. On the other, it has ensured that if your business is not a click away, it may as well not exist.
Being an independent contractor with an optimized listing on Google Business means you’re halfway there. The second part is making your website visible to the local audience. That’s where things get tricky.
Most of your target audience is looking up construction services in their locality on their smartphones (see the statistics below). If your business doesn’t have a mobile-optimized website, it may not appear on the first pages of local searches. So how do you put yourself in front of your clients when they need you?
The answer is simple: Mobile SEO combined with an all-encompassing local SEO solution.
If your’re struggling to find new clients, especially when you’ve exhausted traditional advertising methods and word-of-mouth referrals, invest in SEO for contractors to generate more leads.
Think about it: when people find your website through search engines, they’re more likely to request quotes, fill out contact forms, and make inquiries. It’s easier for you to track too!
Ensure your contracting services shine like a beacon, guiding lost sailors (read: patrons) to your services.
How, you ask? Keep reading!
What is Mobile Search Engine Optimization?
Mobile search engine optimization, or mobile SEO, means optimizing your website to support tablet and mobile formats.
It involves everything from improving the user experience and the site’s load time to optimizing the website with mobile-friendly content.
Your rewards: A greater likelihood of getting the coveted spot on search engine result pages, and consequently building your client base.
Learn More: SEO Content Guide to Search Engine Ranking Factors
Why Do Contractors Need Mobile SEO?
The contracting industry is highly competitive, with many businesses vying for the same clients. And seasonal fluctuations are an added challenge for contractors.
So how do you maintain a steady stream of leads even during slow periods while working on a limited marketing budget?
By leveraging professional SEO services. SEO is a cost-effective solution that can provide long-term results without breaking the bank.
If that didn’t convince you, here are additional reasons why you need to invest in mobile SEO right away:
1. Google’s Mobile-First Indexing System
With the rapid growth of mobile internet usage, Google’s mobile-first indexing algorithm prioritizes the mobile version of a site when displaying results.
This basically means that websites with a well-optimized mobile version are more likely to rank higher on the search engine results pages (SERPs), as Google considers the mobile experience to be of primary importance.
According to Developer Advocate Martin Splitt, here’s how Google’s new mobile-first indexing and ranking system works and how it can affect your ranking.
Bottomline: ensuring your site’s compatibility with mobile devices and a seamless user experience can lead to better ranking, increased visibility and more organic traffic—the ultimate trifecta for contractors!
A Mobile SEO Success Story: White Marble Construction Inc
We looked up “contractor in bay ridge brooklyn,” and E&M Shore Construction Inc was one of the top results.
Its high ranking isn’t a coincidence.
Here’s the mobile-optimized version of the site.
The above changes are suitable for smartphones with smaller screens.
See how the desktop version could never have retained its readability and resolution on a smartphone.
Aside from making the website legible, mobile SEO also ensures the following:
- Faster load speed
- Visibility and proper placement of all the web page elements (buttons, images, calls-to-action, videos, etc.)
- Intuitive touch navigation; responsive and compatible with all devices
- Optimized for voice search
- Reduced website bounce rates
- Easy to understand and read
2. An Overview of Mobile SEO Statistics
The following statistics illustrate what your business is missing out on if your website doesn’t cater to the mobile audience:
Quick Mobile SEO Strategies for Contractors
Hire expert SEO services to optimize your website for smart devices and enjoy increased mobile traffic and engagement.
Here’s what you can do to increase local visibility and attract more clients in today’s competitive marketplace.
1. Responsive Design
A responsive mobile-first design makes it easier for Google to index and rank your website. If you’re redesigning or setting up a new website, opt for WordPress. It allows you to create a mobile-friendly website that adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions.
Test your website with Google’s Chrome DevTools. If your website isn’t responsive in some aspects, contact your web developer and fix the issues to ensure a seamless user experience.
2. Loading Speed
Google has many tools to improve a website’s loading speed. It ranks websites based on whether or not they load in less than two seconds. Did you know that even a delay as small as one second can reduce visits by 11%?
3. Optimize the Images
Optimizing the images on a web page can make them load much faster.
Resize the images using your host’s plugins and tools to make them appropriate for mobile and tablet screens. Google prioritizes user experience (UX), which partially relies on how fast your images load.
Don’t forget accessibility; add alt tags to these images. An alt tag contains complete and relevant information about the image for the visually impaired. The alt description also appears on the screen when an image cannot load due to connectivity issues.
4. Fewer Redirects
Redirects are an alternative solution to a web page that isn’t working or doesn’t exist. While providing an instant alternative to a non-functional page is a good UX practice, it comes at the cost of a slower loading speed.
Excessive redirects can also be counterproductive. They might put users off your website instead of reeling them in.
5. Optimize for Voice Search
With the number of voice assistants projected to breach the eight billion mark this year, your website must be optimized for voice search queries.
Here are some voice search optimization strategies:
- A mobile-first layout
- Dialogue-friendly content structure
- Mobile-specific keywords that satisfy conversational search queries
- Optimize content for local searches with phrases like “near me” or “in [your location]”
6. Optimize for User Experience
User experience is the key to brand awareness. You can harness it effectively by utilizing these strategies:
- Simplify navigation
- Focus on engaging content
- Encourage feedback
- Minimize intrusive popups
- Provide site searching
- Use chatbots
Soar to New Heights with SEO Services for Contractors
Climbing the rankings ladder is like creating the rungs as you go. Google wants to provide a smooth user experience and indexes websites that are optimized for smart devices.
Hire SEO services to cut through the noise and be seen by potential customers. Establish yourself as an industry expert and showcase your skills with a strong online presence.
When you hire professionals with expertise in mobile SEO for contractors, you can appeal to an increasingly growing population of smartphone users.
The clock’s a-ticking!
