How to Optimize Your Ads for Mobile Traffic

It’s been almost four years since the number of mobile users surpassed desktop traffic and the phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to the unprecedented boom in mobile device adoption and the development of ultrafast wireless internet connections, users can now access the internet from almost all corners of the world at break-neck speeds.

So, what does this mean for affiliates?

In simple terms, it means that mobile users are starting to become the main priority in most marketing campaigns. Even though some desktop campaigns still have better historic conversion rates, creating a campaign for smartphones and similar devices can also generate huge profits and earn you a reputation as one of the best in the game.

Let’s go over a few tips to help you optimize your ads for mobile users.

Mobile Traffic by the Numbers

In developed countries like the US, mobile internet makes up 58% of all internet traffic. In regions that are still in development, this number can be much higher due to the lack of access to landline-based connections. But, it’s also worth noting that users on a mobile connection have bounce rates of up to 50%, so they are a lot more demanding when it comes to quality.

Developing a mobile campaign also have layers of complexity that are not a problem with their desktop counterparts. For instance, you have to ensure that your ad is visible in a larger variety of web browsers and screen sizes, which represents a bit more work for affiliates. With this in mind, this process will also ensure better performance from your ads.

How to Optimize Your Ads for Mobile Traffic

While mobile marketing may be relatively new, marketers that have been around since the early days of affiliate marketing have seen similar transitions. Even desktop ads are much more complex than the last few decades, and successful affiliates have been able to adjust and create winning content.

Mobile ads are no different. The key is to learn as much as you can about your audience and test out multiple variables in order to determine which one works best for you.

Additionally, you can also:

Make Your Ads Light

The first and most important thing you have to remember is that mobile internet connections will never be as fast as landlines. Therefore, you need to find image formats and take other precautions that make your ads light, from a speed perspective. The lighter the ad, the faster it will load, thus the more time users will have to engage with your creative elements.

Create Shorter, More Concise Content

Modern mobile devices feature screens that have superb image definition, but they are still smaller than televisions and other gadgets. To help mitigate this issue, you should condense your content and produce shorter ads that go to the point without losing personality.

Craft Mobile-Friendly Creatives

Similarly to the content on your ads, remember that the screens on mobile devices are not as big as computers and other electronics. Therefore, you should craft creatives that are mobile-friendly and appear properly on gadgets of different sizes. Finding an ad builder that allows responsive designs is a great idea, but you have to test it on different platforms to make sure they work.

Ensure the Publishing Platforms are Optimized for Mobile

This may be tricky, but seasoned affiliates should conduct their due diligence and ensure that the publishing platforms showing their ads are mobile-optimized. Even if you spend hours creating the most enticing ads, your efforts will be fruitless if your audience can’t see your ads. The best way to avoid this is to ensure your ads are being displayed, so contact your network and ask about the ad placements you’re receiving.

Use Hyper-Local Targeting Settings

Mobile searches have two elements that most desktop queries simply can’t provide: location and urgency variables. When you combine these two, you get hyper-targeted searches from users who are actively on the hunt for a product or service. The solution? Use hyper-local targeting to improve your chances of benefiting from your audience’s current needs.

Learn More About Boosting the Performance of Your Mobile Ads

Mobile traffic is on the rise, so any wise affiliate should be gearing up for the change of tide. The tips above should help you get prepared for the growth in mobile usage and increase your odds of success.

Want to find out more? Stay tuned or contact ActiveRevenue and our team will be glad to help.