According to recent news, it was on the
21st of April, 2015 that Google released a new mobile-friendly
factor to their search engine algorithm. If you’re a web designer or a
marketer, its high time you prepare yourself as the ‘Mobocalypse’ is near and
if you don’t do the needful, it will take away your targeted traffic, earned
leads and revenue. Although the terms “mobilegeddon” and “mobile-friendly
apocalypse” seem to be too dramatic, yet this Google algorithm update will
definitely impact many web pages and page ranks. In fact, Google has also reported
that this release will be more significant and noteworthy than the previous
updates like the Panda and Penguin and will have an impact on 40% of web
searches.
21st of April, 2015 that Google released a new mobile-friendly
factor to their search engine algorithm. If you’re a web designer or a
marketer, its high time you prepare yourself as the ‘Mobocalypse’ is near and
if you don’t do the needful, it will take away your targeted traffic, earned
leads and revenue. Although the terms “mobilegeddon” and “mobile-friendly
apocalypse” seem to be too dramatic, yet this Google algorithm update will
definitely impact many web pages and page ranks. In fact, Google has also reported
that this release will be more significant and noteworthy than the previous
updates like the Panda and Penguin and will have an impact on 40% of web
searches.
Mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal for websites
On the 21st of April, Google has
expanded their use of mobile-friendliness as a vial ranking signal and the crux
of this entire statement has “Mobile-friendliness” as the keyword. As per the
announcement, websites have to have mobile-friendly elements in order to get
placed higher in the Google search engine results.
expanded their use of mobile-friendliness as a vial ranking signal and the crux
of this entire statement has “Mobile-friendliness” as the keyword. As per the
announcement, websites have to have mobile-friendly elements in order to get
placed higher in the Google search engine results.
What exactly is a mobile-friendly website?
A mobile-friendly website should have
all the characteristics to make it easier for the users to access and navigate
through their desired content on a website. For example, you opened a webpage
where you were given a spurt of links and you’ve just clicked on the first link
for getting your desired information. The result is simply a minimized version
of the desktop page. Taking a look at the webpage, you soon understand that
this knowledge ride would be more sideways than uphill. But out of desperation,
you tap on the ‘pinch to zoom’ option and keep on moving sideways to read
through the page.
all the characteristics to make it easier for the users to access and navigate
through their desired content on a website. For example, you opened a webpage
where you were given a spurt of links and you’ve just clicked on the first link
for getting your desired information. The result is simply a minimized version
of the desktop page. Taking a look at the webpage, you soon understand that
this knowledge ride would be more sideways than uphill. But out of desperation,
you tap on the ‘pinch to zoom’ option and keep on moving sideways to read
through the page.
This is exactly what Google doesn’t
want its mobile users to face. The user experience is the main thing that
Google is aimed at and this is the reason they are trying to bring forth all
those websites that offer the users with a better mobile search experience.
want its mobile users to face. The user experience is the main thing that
Google is aimed at and this is the reason they are trying to bring forth all
those websites that offer the users with a better mobile search experience.
What it takes to be called a mobile-friendly website?
By now you must be wondering what it
takes for a website to be called mobile-friendly? Well, here are some of the
‘must-have’ features.
takes for a website to be called mobile-friendly? Well, here are some of the
‘must-have’ features.
·
Responsive
designing: A mobile-friendly website should
change its layout in accordance with the screen size and capability of the
device that is being used by the user. This is a vital feature as different
users browse through the internet from different kinds of devices among which
mobile users are the most.
Responsive
designing: A mobile-friendly website should
change its layout in accordance with the screen size and capability of the
device that is being used by the user. This is a vital feature as different
users browse through the internet from different kinds of devices among which
mobile users are the most.
·
Page
loading time: This metric is as important as
the above mentioned one. People who are using mobile devices are searching
through their mobiles since they don’t have time to find the same thing on
their desktops. Hence the page loading time becomes an imperative metric that
needs to be taken care of by the web designer.
Page
loading time: This metric is as important as
the above mentioned one. People who are using mobile devices are searching
through their mobiles since they don’t have time to find the same thing on
their desktops. Hence the page loading time becomes an imperative metric that
needs to be taken care of by the web designer.
·
Site
navigation: If the website doesn’t follow an
optimized navigation flow, searching for some desired content on a mobile
device can soon become a frustrating experience. A good mobile website should
have a good flow of the navigation process so that the users can move from one
page to the other without any kind of glitches.
Site
navigation: If the website doesn’t follow an
optimized navigation flow, searching for some desired content on a mobile
device can soon become a frustrating experience. A good mobile website should
have a good flow of the navigation process so that the users can move from one
page to the other without any kind of glitches.
In what way will this Update affect you?
This update by Google has put mobile
experience of the users under the scan. All those websites that don’t follow
the Google standards when it comes to user experience on mobile phones will
expect a dramatic slash-off in their search engine rankings.
experience of the users under the scan. All those websites that don’t follow
the Google standards when it comes to user experience on mobile phones will
expect a dramatic slash-off in their search engine rankings.
Magicdust,
who provide quality Website
Design Sydney practitioners trust suggests that before you
opt for a new look of your website, get your website tested for
mobile-friendliness by using Google’s Mobile Friendly Test tool.
who provide quality Website
Design Sydney practitioners trust suggests that before you
opt for a new look of your website, get your website tested for
mobile-friendliness by using Google’s Mobile Friendly Test tool.