Over the past couple of years mobile-friendly websites have become a necessity due to the way people now consume content, but knowing where to start can be tough for traditional businesses.

​2017 is the year that accessibility, mobility and speed will really matter. Today, it is also essential that your website content is mobile-friendly-searchable to further improve your online visibility. 
 
Here are 5 basic points to consider when going mobile-friendly.
 
1. Quick and easy
A mobile website must be quick and easy to navigate. Mobile site users want to find information hassle free, so make things easy to find with clear buttons, icons and headings that guide and inform users. The less pinches, swipes and taps the better.
 
2. Short and simple
Users on mobile devices looking for products or services don't want to waste time, and really don't want to scroll, scroll, scroll through long paragraphs. Keep paragraph length to 3-5 lines. Use short, simple, targeted sentences that engage and help users find what they want. Sentence length should range from 10 – 20 words. Also, use keywords your target market uses to find what they are looking for.
 
3. Stay on message
Make sure your brand and communications (logo, colors, copy and style) are consistent across your desktop and mobile platforms. Brand consistency will ensure users develop familiarity with your business — familiarity breeds brand trust and loyalty.
 
4. Minimize input info
Mobile users are working on a small canvas, so limit the amount of information you require them to input when completing forms or purchase orders. Using drop downs instead of input fields will make things much easier. Also, make sure the input font size is readable at least 14 px.
 
5. Time to test
Once your mobile website is live — test it — across various mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets of all shapes and sizes. Also, make sure you test it across various operating systems like Windows, iOS and Android. Finally, when ready to go live, test your page speed with Google PageSpeed Insights.
 
Scopic works with you to build your business exposure online, contact us to find out more.

As we grind through the start of 2017, now is a perfect time to review your online strategy. A sharp looking mobile-friendly website and fresh content are an essential combination for any online business.
 
So, let's review these basic tips to make sure you are maximizing your online exposure.
 
Focus on fresh content
To keep your business on top of organic search results it is important to consistently refresh and target your website content. Search engines like Google, YAHOO and Bing regularly change their algorithms and search factors to provide genuine search results to users. We recommend businesses to at least make use of Keyword Planner to better understand their audiences search habits when creating content. Simply, fresh and targeted content will keep your audience coming back for more.

 Schedule regular content reviews
Search engines use search-bots to gather information about websites on the Internet and then share it with users via SERPs (search engine results pages). This is why your business needs to schedule content reviews every few weeks to make sure you keep and improve your ranking. The content reviews should closely analyse basic data - Google Analytics - on page visitors, page impressions, user behaviour and experience. Creating, measuring and reviewing content will allow your business to learn what content is most engaging to your audience.
 
Focus on rich content
Keeping search-bots fed on fresh "content rich" information will see your business climb the search engine ranks. Rich content could include: product updates, product reviews, industry facts, tips and tricks, product tutorials, employee or customer profiles, company news. With a massive amount of content being published across numerous platforms, businesses need to offer truly rich content more than ever before. Basically, the richer, more valuable the content on or linked to your website, the higher your ranking and this means more eyeballs are on your business.
 
Want more, then check out our content marketing trends for 2017 and SEO tips for 2017
 
 Scopic helps businesses better connect with people in a smarter way, contact us to find out more.

Keep things fresh
To keep your business on top it is important to regularly refresh your website content. Search engines like Google, YAHOO and Bing regularly change their algorithms and search factors to get true search results. Also, your audience will keep coming back to your website if they regularly see something fresh, informative and engaging.

Schedule content reviews
Search engines use search-bots to gather information about websites on the internet and then share it with users via SERPs (search engine results pages). This is why your business needs to schedule content reviews every few months to make sure you keep your ranking. The reviews should consider whether your website content is useful, informative, educational or engaging to your audience.

Think rich content
Keeping search-bots fed on fresh "content rich" information will see your business grow and climb search engine ranks. This could include: product updates, product reviews, industry facts, tips and tricks, product tutorials, company news. Always remember to make sure the content is fresh and simple for both your target audience and bots to digest. Basically, the richer the content, the higher your ranking and this means more eyeballs are on your business.

Scopic works with you to create rich content that delivers real results, contact us to find out more.

The words on your website play a key role in driving targeted traffic to your business. Increase the power of your website with these three simple tips for writing effective web copy.

1. Firstly, understand your target audience and write for them
Make the content engaging and easy to read.

2. Remember less is always more on the web
Use effective headings to attract the eyes and powerful topic sentences to keep them focused.

3. Identify the keywords your target market uses to find what they are looking for and use them
Make the most of keywords in the copy that your target market searches. 

Use this free tool to find out what your audience is looking for: Keyword Tool. 

​Scopic works with you to create more effective communications, contact us to find out more.

Nielsen a global leader in consumer measurement and information offers a snap shot of the shopping habits of the mobile shoppers.

Read the story: A Mobile Shopper’s Journey: From the Couch to the Store (and Back Again)

As the number of mobile shoppers grows globally it is important that businesses are able reach people on mobile devices. This simply means that your business must have a mobile friendly site. 

Scopic works with you to create more effective mobile device communications, contact us to find out more.

To keep your business on top it is important to regularly refresh your website content.

Keep the bots fed on rich content
Search engines like Google, YAHOO and bing regularly change their algorithms and search factors to get true search results. They use search-bots to gather information about websites on the internet and then share it with users via SERPs (search engine results pages). This is why your business needs to regularly review your website content to make sure you keep your ranking.

Basically, the higher your ranking the more eyeballs are on your business. Keeping search-bots fed on fresh information will see your company grow and climb search engine ranks. This is why the process of refreshing your website should be done every few months.   

Scopic works with you to create more effective communications, contact us to find out more.

The words on your website entice targeted traffic to your business.

1. Know your target audience and write for them
You only have a few seconds to grab the attention of your website visitors. Writing engaging and informative web copy will help you connect with your target audience.

2. Write how your target market searches
Research and identify the keywords your target market uses to find what they are looking for.

3. Use effective headings
People on the web want to find what they want quickly, so make things easy with clear and concise headings.

4. Keep your paragraphs short and simple
People on the web looking for products or services don't want to waste time, and really don't want to read long paragraphs. Paragraph length should range from 2-5 lines.

5. Keep your sentences short and simple
Write simple, keyword rich sentences that engage and inform. Sentence length should range from 20 to 30. 

Scopic works with you to create more effective communications, contact us to find out more.

Fresh online content about your business is a powerful way to boost website traffic. Use your online content to educate and engage with your target audience.

1. Start blogging
Blog posting is an extremely effective way to market your business online.
 
2. Build a “Did You Know? or "Tips for...” bank of articles
Regularly share your industry knowledge and experience with your online audience.

3. Update case studies about your clients
Reach out to new clients by making them aware of what you have done for others, and how you did it.

4. Write about news in your industry
 Share your thoughts on recent news relating to your industry.

5. Time your online content
Create an online content plan that identifies and maximizes peak sales activity and consumer trends.

Scopic works with you to market your business more effectively, contact us to find out more.

To learn more take 5 minutes to watch this animation by graphic designer Ben Barrett-Forrest.

Watch the animation: The History of Typography - Animated Short  

Scopic works with you to create a fresh look and feel for your business, contact us to find out more.

Spring is a beautiful time in Japan and the new season brings with it great change every year.

Why is it important to refresh your website?

Search engines like Google and Yahoo regularly change their algorithms and search factors to get true search results. They use search-bots to gather information about websites on the internet and then share it with users via SERPs (search engine results pages). This is why your business needs to occasionally review your website content. 

Keeping these search-bots fed on fresh information will see your company grow and climb the results page. The process of refreshing your website should be done every few months.  

Scopic works collaboratively to create a fresh look and feel for your website, contact us to find out more.