Why (& How) Mobile Search Engine Optimization is Edmonton AB's Biggest 2025 Opportunity
by Aaron Janes, Founder
Did you know that over 40% of all website traffic in Canada now comes from mobile devices?
That means 40% of people find your website while on their phones, which makes sense when you think about it.
Consider how often you're out and about, and pull out your phone to do a quick search. Maybe you're comparing a price, checking a fact, or finding some opening times.
These little micro and not-so-micro interactions represent a huge chunk of potential customers scrolling through their phones, looking for businesses like yours.
Truth be told, if your website isn't optimized for mobile, you could be missing out on a ton of business. In Edmonton's competitive market, it's more important than ever to make sure your online presence is mobile-friendly.
While we've chatted a lot on this blog about optimizing your website for mobile devices, today I wanted to draw your attention to a little something called "mobile-first indexing," and it's how Google decides which websites to rank higher in search results.
Essentially, Google primarily looks at the mobile version of your website to determine its ranking. Think of it this way: if your website looks clunky and loads slowly on a phone, Google won't be impressed, and neither will your potential customers.
In this guide, we'll break down the ins and outs of mobile SEO and explore some cutting-edge strategies to get your Edmonton business ranking higher in 2025. From page speed optimization to voice search and the latest trends, this is a complete guide.
Let's go.
What is mobile-first indexing?
Mobile-first indexing is the fact that Google's web crawler prioritizes indexing the mobile version of a website's content over desktop.
This checks out which websites are best, directly affecting all websites' rankings.
This was a change that actually started back in 2015, but was standard for all websites in September 2020. However, it wasn't until October 2023 that the rollout was complete, almost seven years after they started.
That means, right now, your website is being ranked by Google, depending on its mobile experience over the desktop experience.
If you're worried that you don't even know how well the mobile version of your website is doing, well, we're here to fix that, so don't panic.
But why the switch?
Well, Google's main goal is to provide the best possible experience for its users, and with the majority of searches happening on mobile, it just makes sense to prioritize the mobile experience.
For Edmonton businesses, having a mobile-friendly website isn't just a nice-to-have anymore, it's an absolute must-have.
Now, here's a common misconception: some people think mobile-first indexing means Google has a separate index for mobile websites.
That's not the case. There's still just one index, but Google primarily uses the mobile version of your site to determine your ranking.
So, if your mobile site is lacking, your overall search ranking will take a hit. Likewise, if you improve your mobile website, your rankings will go up.
How to assess your website using a mobile SEO audit
Right, let's get actionable.
First, let's take a good, hard look at your website's current state. The best and most accurate way to do this is via an SEO audit.
A mobile SEO audit helps you pinpoint any issues hindering your website's performance on mobile devices.
Here at Ignite Web Design, we can give you one for free in one easy report, or you can do it yourself using the steps below.
Here are the key areas we need to examine:
- Page speed. In the fast-paced world of mobile browsing, every second counts. Did you know that 53% of mobile users will abandon a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load? Tools like PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix analyze your website's loading speed and identify any bottlenecks and ways to improve.
- Mobile-friendliness. Is your website easy to navigate on a small screen? Can users easily find what they're looking for? Pagespeed Insights can help with this as well.
- Responsive design vs. separate mobile site. There are two main approaches to creating a mobile-friendly website: responsive design (where the website adapts to different screen sizes) and separate mobile sites (where you have a dedicated website version for mobile users).
- Structured data and schema markup. This might sound technical, but it's basically a way to help search engines understand the content on your website. By using schema markup, you can provide context to your content, making it easier for Google to display your website in relevant search results.
- User experience (UX) on mobile devices. Ultimately, it all comes down to the user experience. We'll analyze how easy it is for users to interact with your website on their phones, from tapping buttons to filling out forms.
By thoroughly assessing these areas, we can identify any roadblocks and create a roadmap for mobile optimization success. Then you simply need to make the necessary improvements, and you're good to go!
What are core mobile SEO strategies for 2025?
Now we've given your website a thorough check-up, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on those optimizations. Here are the core strategies that will help propel your Edmonton business to the top of mobile search results in 2025:
Page speed optimization
Remember that statistic about people abandoning websites that take longer than three seconds to load? Yeah, page speed is kind of a big deal.
In fact, Google has even made it a core ranking factor. So, let's make sure your website is lightning-fast on mobile.
- Tools for measuring page speed. Before we start tweaking things, we need to know where we stand. Tools like PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix will give us a detailed analysis of your website's loading speed and pinpoint any areas for improvement.
- Image optimization techniques. Images can be major culprits when it comes to slow loading times. We'll optimize your images by compressing them without sacrificing quality, using the right file formats (like WebP), and ensuring they're responsive.
- Caching strategies. Caching is like storing a copy of your website on your visitors' devices so they don't have to download everything every time they visit. We'll implement effective caching strategies to significantly boost your loading speed.
- Code minification and optimization. Think of your website's code as a messy room. Code minification is like tidying up that room by removing unnecessary characters and spaces, making the code leaner and faster to load.
- AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages). AMP is a stripped-down version of your website that's designed to load instantly on mobile devices. While it has its pros and cons, it can be a powerful tool for improving page speed, especially for content-heavy websites.
Technical SEO for mobile
Of course, there are some technical considerations you'll need to action, but don't worry, I'll keep it jargon-free.
- Mobile sitemaps. A mobile sitemap is like a roadmap for search engines, guiding them through the mobile version of your website. Make sure your sitemap is up-to-date and submitted to Google Search Console.
- Hreflang tags for international businesses. If your Edmonton business caters to customers in other countries, hreflang tags help you tell search engines which language and region your content is intended for. This ensures that users see the right version of your website based on their location.
- Crawling and indexing issues. Sometimes, search engines might have trouble accessing or understanding your mobile website. We'll identify and fix any crawling and indexing issues to ensure your site is indexed correctly.
- Avoiding common mobile SEO mistakes. From broken links to intrusive pop-ups, there are a few common pitfalls that can harm your mobile SEO. We'll make sure your website steers clear of these mistakes.
These are some really good places to start that you can action yourself, depending on how technically minded you are. If you want to go further,
Content optimization for mobile
Content is king, even on mobile. However, optimizing content for mobile requires a slightly different approach.
- Prioritize concise, scannable content. Mobile users are often on the go and have shorter attention spans. We'll make sure your content is easy to read and digest on a small screen.
- Use headings and subheadings effectively. Break up your content with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability and make it easier for users to find the necessary information.
- Optimize images with alt text. Alt text is a short description of an image that helps search engines understand what the image is about. It's also important for accessibility, as screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired users.
- Ensure easy navigation and clear calls-to-action (CTAs). Make it easy for users to navigate your website and find what they're looking for. Use clear and concise CTAs to guide them towards desired actions, like purchasing or contacting your business.
What are the Local SEO strategies for mobile in Edmonton?
Since we're focusing on mobile optimizations, we might as well talk about actual mobile-focused local SEO since you can optimize everything on the go.
Here's how to make sure your business stands out in local mobile searches:
Optimizing Google My Business (GMB) Profile for mobile
Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is your connection to Google and tells them everything they (and, therefore, their users) need to know about your business. Then it makes sense that you want everything there and correct it.
We're talking things like:
- NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone number). Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across your website, GMB profile, and other online directories. This helps Google (and your customers) find you easily.
- Mobile-friendly website link. Include a link to your mobile-friendly website in your GMB profile. This makes it easy for people to jump from your profile to your site and learn more about your business.
- Customer reviews and ratings. Encourage your happy customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile. Positive reviews can boost your local ranking and build trust with potential customers. Plus, who doesn't love a little social proof?
- GMB posts and updates. Keep your GMB profile fresh and engaging by posting updates, sharing special offers, and showcasing your latest products or services.
Voice search optimization for local searches
With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, more and more people are using their voices to search for local businesses. Here's how to get your Edmonton business ready for the voice search revolution:
- Long-tail keywords and conversational queries. Think about how people would naturally ask a question about your business. Instead of "best pizza Edmonton," they might say, "Hey Google, where can I find the best pizza near me in Edmonton?" Optimize your content for these long-tail keywords and conversational queries.
- Schema markup for local businesses. Remember schema markup? It's even more important for voice search! Use schema markup to provide context to your content, making it easier for voice assistants to understand your business and provide relevant information to users.
- Local citations and directory listings. Make sure your business is listed in relevant online directories and citation sources. This helps build your online presence and makes it easier for voice assistants to find you.
Mobile advertising options for Edmonton businesses
Sometimes, a little paid advertising can boost your local SEO efforts. Here are some mobile advertising options to consider:
- Geo-targeting and location-based ads. Target your ads to people in specific locations, like Edmonton or even particular neighbourhoods within the city. This ensures that your ads are seen by the most relevant audience.
- Mobile-specific ad formats. Take advantage of mobile-specific ad formats, like app install ads or click-to-call ads. These formats are designed to drive specific actions on mobile devices.