It goes without saying that, as digital technology advances, consumer behavior adapts in kind and content writing tips evolve. For example, just take day-to-day Internet access. In the early days of the World Wide Web, the only way to access your favorite Geocities site or LiveJournal page was via desktop computer. These days, Internet consumption has shifted toward mobile devices… and that shift has been decisive. According to the latest statistics, about 60 percent of Internet traffic comes via mobile devices. Desktops, laptops, and tablets combined account for about 39 percent.
The implication for marketers is clear: It’s important that everything you do be optimized for mobile users. That’s what the “mobile first” mindset is all about. And while mobile first thinking has implications for SEO and web design, it also has some important ramifications as it relates to content writing tips.
What is Mobile First?
To begin with, when we discuss mobile first concepts, what exactly do we mean?
When the iPhone first made mobile web access a priority, a lot of web designers sought to retrofit their existing sites, ensuring they were right sized for easy access on mobile devices. The mobile first mentality takes things a step further, asking designers and marketers to consider mobile access as the top priority and the main avenue for accessing their content.
In other words, the mobile first mentality assumes that most people who access your site, your blog, or your app will do so from a mobile device. And as we’ve already seen, there are plenty of stats to bear that out.
As such, mobile first design is about ensuring that, first and foremost, a site provides a great experience for mobile users. This means guaranteeing fast loading times, simple site hierarchies, and layouts that look good no matter the browser or device types. It also means content that’s properly formatted for maximum usability on mobile devices. But what does that look like, exactly?
Mobile First Content Writing Tips: Best Practices
Simply put, mobile first designs require written content that’s easy to digest even from small screens with touch-based interfaces. Some prominent mobile first content writing tips include:
- Short sentences and paragraphs. Remember that mobile visitors need information that can fit into the palm of their hand. Long, rambling paragraphs that require a lot of scrolling can be a huge turnoff.
- Headings and subheadings. Mobile users typically benefit from content that’s easy to skim, making it easy to pinpoint the desired information with just a quick scan. Headings and subheadings can be a big help in this regard.
- White space. It’s easy for that small screen to get cluttered, overwhelming visitors and causing them to give up rather than seeking the information they need. Those short paragraphs, along with generous margins, can provide the right balance of white space.
- Click-to-call phone numbers. Calls to action should have easily clickable links to your contact page as well as click-to-call phone numbers, allowing mobile users to call or schedule appointments directly from their browser.
- Clear calls to action. To guide the user through their journey, make sure your mobile content includes multiple calls to action when appropriate, each one clear and easy to identify. Set apart CTAs with bold text or with their own separate subheadings.
By following the principles of mobile first design, including in your content writing, you can improve the user experience, ensuring sites load quickly and function smoothly. And this, in turn, can help boost your SEO rankings.
Get Help with Clean, Effective Copywriting
Ready to enhance your website with effective mobile-first content? We’d love to help. Reach out to the copywriting team at Grammar Chic, Inc. by visiting www.grammarchic.net, or by calling 803-831-7444.
A freelance writer and journalist since 2000, Josh Hurst became a member of the Grammar Chic team in 2011. Initially serving as Associate Writer and Editor, Josh became the company’s Content Marketing Strategist in 2013. Additionally, he regularly writes about music, film, television, and literature for FLOOD Magazine and Slant Magazine.