Think mobile, think optimisation.
Internal can improve mobile user experience, we’re serious.
It may not seem like it, but well-done internal linking is an SEO power-move that’ll help boost traffic to your site.
So, let’s get a move-on and help you bring more success to your website.
Understanding Mobile User Experience
Before we throw you in the deep end, let’s briefly understand what mobile UX is and why it’s crucial for your site’s success.
What is Mobile User Experience?
Often referred to as mobile UX, it’s the overall impression users have when interacting with your site on a mobile device.
It includes factors like site speed, navigation, content presentation, accessibility and overall usability.
A positive UX makes sure that visitors can easily find what they’re looking for, consume content, and complete actions.
The Significance of Mobile User Experience in SEO
This cannot be overstated.
Google introduced mobile-first indexing, meaning that it mainly uses the mobile version of a website for ranking and indexing search results.
If your site isn’t optimised for mobile users, you’re likely to see a drop in search engine rankings.
Take a look at these:
- In 2021, mobile devices accounted for over 54% of web traffic worldwide.
- Google’s mobile page speed update, which prioritises fast-loading mobile pages, reinforces the importance of mobile optimisation.
- High bounce rates and low mobile dwell times due to a poor mobile UX can adversely affect your SEO efforts.
The Basics of Internal Linking
What Is Internal Linking?
Internal linking involves creating hyperlinks that connect one page of your website to another within the same domain.
These links allow users to navigate between different pages of your site, effectively guiding them through your content.
Internal links are different from external links, which point to pages on other websites.
Benefits of Internal Linking for SEO
Internal linking offers several SEO benefits, including:
- Improved Site Structure: Internal links help organise your website’s content hierarchy, making it more accessible and user-friendly.
- Enhanced Content Discoverability: They guide users to related articles or pages, increasing the chances of users exploring more of your content.
- Reduced Bounce Rates: Well-placed internal links can keep users engaged, reducing bounce rates and increasing session duration.
- Optimised Anchor Text: Properly chosen anchor text can provide context to users and search engines about the linked page’s content.
Now, let’s explore how internal linking can specifically enhance mobile user experience.
How Internal Linking Benefits Mobile User Experience
1. Improved Navigation
Mobile users often have limited screen space and a more condensed menu structure.
Internal links can serve as shortcuts to important pages, helping users navigate through your site with ease.
Imagine a mobile user visiting an e-commerce site.
They land on the homepage but are looking for specific product categories.
Internal links in the form of category tabs can quickly guide them to their desired section, enhancing their overall experience.
2. Enhanced Content Discoverability
People are impatient.
They want to find information quickly. Internal links play a vital role in helping mobile users discover related content effortlessly.
Suppose you operate a blog about travel destinations.
A well-placed internal link within an article about “10 Must-Visit Beaches” can lead users to another article on “Top Beach Activities.”
This not only provides more value to the user but also keeps them engaged with your content, potentially reducing your site’s bounce rate.
Using descriptive anchor text for your internal links can give users a clear idea of what to expect when they click, increasing their satisfaction with the mobile experience.
3. Reducing Bounce Rates
High bounce rates can negatively impact your SEO rankings, and mobile users are more prone to bounce if they encounter a frustrating experience.
Internal linking can help retain users on your mobile pages for longer periods.
Consider including “related articles” or “you might also like” sections at the end of your mobile articles.
By offering users additional content that aligns with their interests, you can encourage them to explore further, reducing the likelihood of them bouncing from your site.
4. Faster Access to Information
Mobile users appreciate speed.
Slow-loading pages can lead to frustration and increased bounce rates. Internal linking can contribute to a faster mobile experience by providing direct access to relevant information.
For instance, if your website offers tutorials, consider using internal links to create a “Table of Contents” at the beginning of long articles.
Mobile users can quickly jump to the section they need, improving their overall experience and reducing loading times for less relevant content.
Best Practices for Implementing Internal Links on Mobile
To maximise the benefits of internal linking for mobile user experience, follow these best practices:
1. Create Mobile-Friendly Anchor Text
Make sure your anchor text is concise, descriptive, and easy to tap on mobile devices.
Avoid using long phrases or generic terms like “click here.”
Instead, use specific keywords that give users a clear idea of where the link will take them.
2. Optimise Internal Link Placement
Place internal links strategically within your mobile content.
Don’t overwhelm users with too many links, but ensure that they are conveniently located where users are likely to engage with them.
3. Use Mobile Sitemaps and Breadcrumbs
Mobile sitemaps and breadcrumbs can enhance navigation, especially for mobile users.
Implementing these features can further improve the mobile UX.
4. Monitor Mobile User Behaviour for Improvements
Regularly analyse user behaviour on your mobile site.
Identify pages with high bounce rates or low engagement and consider adjusting your internal linking strategy accordingly.
Tools and Resources for Mobile Internal Linking
To make the process of implementing internal linking for mobile user experience more efficient, consider using the following tools and resources:
A. Mobile SEO Plugins and Tools
Various plugins and tools are designed specifically to help with mobile SEO and internal linking optimisation.
Examples include Yoast SEO for WordPress, which offers mobile-focused SEO features.
Or the one and only WILO plugin, that can solve all your internal linking problems.
B. Analysing Mobile User Behaviour with Google Analytics
Google Analytics provides in-depth data on mobile user behaviour.
Use it to track bounce rates, page views, and other key metrics to assess the effectiveness of your internal linking strategy.
C. Mobile Site Auditing Tools
Tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can assess your site’s mobile compatibility and provide recommendations for improvement, including suggestions related to internal linking.
How WILO Can Help?
1. Improved Mobile Navigation
WILO can help you identify and create internal links that enhance mobile navigation.
Mobile users often have limited screen space, making it crucial to provide them with efficient ways to move through your content.
By suggesting potential internal links based on keywords, WILO ensures that mobile users can quickly find relevant pages and information, simplifying their navigation experience on your website.
2. Enhanced Content Discoverability
In the mobile era, users expect to find what they’re looking for with minimal effort.
WILO’s ability to identify content that could be linked to the page you’re currently viewing helps mobile users discover related articles or pages effortlessly.
This feature is particularly valuable because it reduces the need for users to search or click through multiple menus, making the mobile user experience more intuitive and efficient.
3. Reduced Bounce Rates on Mobile
High bounce rates can be detrimental to your website’s SEO and user engagement.
WILO assists in reducing mobile bounce rates by suggesting internal links that keep users engaged with your content.
When mobile users find relevant and interesting links within your content, they are more likely to click and explore further, resulting in longer session durations and lower bounce rates.
4. Diverse Anchor Texts for Mobile Links
WILO’s feature of displaying anchor text for existing links on a page can help you optimise anchor text diversity in your internal linking strategy.
Diverse anchor text is essential for mobile user experience because it provides context to users, helping them understand where the link will take them.
Mobile users often rely on clear and concise anchor text to make quick decisions on whether to click a link or not, and WILO can assist in achieving this clarity.
5. Faster Access to Information
Mobile users value speed and efficiency.
WILO aids in providing faster access to information by suggesting internal links that lead directly to the content users are seeking.
For example, if you have a lengthy article, WILO can recommend creating a “Table of Contents” with internal links, allowing mobile users to jump to specific sections quickly.
This not only enhances their experience but also reduces loading times for less relevant content.
