Is your website mobile friendly? If it isn’t, you ought to be thinking about investing in a responsive website, which means it automatically changes to fit the device you’re reading it on.
April 21st it’ll be harder to rank in Google’s mobile search results
Huh? What does this mean?
Google makes modifications to its search algorithm hundreds of times over the course of a year. While most changes are minor, every few months Google releases a “major” algorithmic update that affects search results significantly.
Algorithm: Computer programs that look for clues to give you back exactly what you want.
After April 21, Google will check to see if your provides a mobile-friendly experience or not. If your site is mobile responsive, then you’ll rank higher, while other sites will be demoted simply because they aren’t mobile-friendly. (Note: This update only affects mobile search results; smartphones and tablets, not searches conducted on desktops or laptop computers.)
But Why is Google Doing This?
Google wants to make it easier for people using mobile devices to access websites that have been optimized for use on mobile devices.
This totally makes sense when you consider this little factoid – Google says that 94 percent of U.S. smartphone users search for local information on their phones. If you’re like me, you use your hand held device a lot!
Google’s stated its intent is to improve the searchers’ experience.
How many times have you done a search from a mobile device only to arrive at a site and it’s so difficult to read? How about navigating the site using the teeny tiny links? Try that without pinching and zooming and scrolling. It’s impossible isn’t it? Not to mention it’s pretty annoying too.
As a result, Google is converting this user frustration toward improving its search results so that more mobile searchers land on sites to provide better user experiences.
This is great news for people like us who do a lot of surfing and shopping on our mobile devices.
But what about the people who don’t have mobile websites?
Well yeah, they’re going to have to update their website, sooner than later.
Is Your Site Mobile Ready?
I bet you’re wondering if your website is mobile ready or not. Here are two easy ways to find out:
1- Use this great tool: Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, just enter your site’s URL for analysis.
2- Search for your website in Google on your mobile device. If you see the words “mobile friendly” appear, then congratulations!
Uh Oh. Your Website isn’t Mobile Friendly?
If your website isn’t mobile responsive, don’t stress. Yes I know, the April 21 deadline is just a few weeks away… Contact me and let’s talk. It may be possible to keep your existing design, or it could be an excellent opportunity (re)design your website.
What Do You Use to browse the Internet?
Desktop or Mobile? Post your comments below. Seriously, I’d really love to know!