Google recently announced that it would be making significant updates to its algorithm and how it ranks mobile search results on April 21st 2015.
Mobile-Friendly Websites Will Rank Better in Mobile Search
This update will start labeling websites as “mobile-friendly.” This designation will be an important factor that determines whether your site should rank higher in mobile search results.
Google says this algorithmic change will have a “significant impact” on mobile search results and affect all languages worldwide.
The company’s goal is to always provide people with the best experience possible. With an increasing number of searches being performed on mobile devices, they want to make sure they’re sending people to a website that’s easy to view on the device they’re using.
“Users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices,” says Google.
Start Planning Now
Google wants sites to be prepared, but you only have a few months to make it happen before it impacts your rankings and traffic.
What You Need to Do
So what is the single most important “mobile-friendly” factor your site needs?
Responsive design!
This flexible framework tailors the appearance of your site to the mobile device someone is using to view it, which is the biggest “mobile-friendly” signal.
Other important factors are:
- Your website will be able to adapt to whichever device the user might be using. (Desktop, table or mobile)
- This will improve your conversion rates as the usability aspect of your design will increase.
Here are some gifs that explain how responsive design works.
Make the Switch Now
Making the switch to responsive design is no longer a matter of choice. It’s necessary for the continued and future success for your website.
If you decide to wait but your competitors don’t, you’ll be giving them a serious advantage while losing the rankings and traffic you’ve worked hard to earn.
If you’d like to discuss this new update and how it may impact you, please contact us.
