Apple's Siri is Changing Local SEO Tactics and Site Design, Is Your Website Ready?

Do you consider yourself fairly savvy in the world of technology? If you answered yes, then you are most likely aware of Apple's recent release of the new iPhone 4S and a nifty new application by the name of Siri. In simple terms, Siri is a voice recognition application that allows iPhone users to verbally control their cell phones. You could say Siri is your own personal assistant - an efficient way to check traffic, weather, make a reservation, write an email and the list goes on and on, but what does this mean for local SEO and traditional methods of searching the internet? Some would say the tide has turned and apps like Siri are the wave of the future, making SEO obsolete. And in a small way, they are correct. Since Siri is automated, you are never physically looking up information in the search engines; which means you aren't using the traditional method of search engine results pages and pay-per-click advertisements. This greatly reduces their importance and influence.

It's true that with an app like Siri, information can be automatically processed with a few spoken words, but that doesn't have to spell the end of traditional search methods. With floods of new technology continuously being developed, business owners have to learn to adapt and change with the latest trends. This is the time to invest in and optimize your website for mobile devices. As Siri evolves and other operating systems adapt similar technologies, the businesses that benefit the most will be the ones who understand that their customers are increasingly becoming mobile and will optimize their sites to engage them.

Many of us today are in the high paced life where we are constantly on the go, whether it be day-to-day business, vacation, or taking our children to soccer practice, we usually have our mobile devices within reach. More than 700 million people browse the internet using their mobile phone. This is the reason that mobile web browsing is predicted to become the next internet platform. There's no better time to optimize your website for mobile devices than now!

Most websites will load fine on a mobile phone; however they are formatted incorrectly and often make browsing very difficult, if not impossible. The number one reason for optimizing a site for mobile phones is size. A website designed for a desktop may have lots of images, flash and links, but this won't work for mobiles and can put you at a distinct disadvantage. The more scrolling a user has to do to find information, the less likely they will stay on your site. Simplicity is key. Scrap any unnecessary images and flash and stick with basic text. That isn't to say that you have to get rid of all images, but use good judgment so that you don't compromise the efficiency and easy navigation of your site.

Secondly, enhance your local SEO. Make sure your address, phone number, email, and operating hours are featured prominently on your home page for maximum SEO benefits. Make sure your website can be used on multiple mobile platforms and browsers - this will increase your success of being user friendly. Also, you can enhance your digital presence. Setting up a profile on Facebook or Twitter simply won't cut it anymore. Instead, setting up a profile in such directories as CitySearch, Yelp, Bing Local and other review sites can greatly increase your online presence and give you maximum exposure.

If you're ready to optimize your site, we are here to help! Although it is difficult to support all the available devices, we use specialized techniques and web standards to allow maximum compatibility with mobile devices. If you don't have a mobile version of your website, you are losing potential business. Make it fit, get started today!