If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you may be left behind
Whether your business is based in Danbury, CT, or New York City, NY, having a mobile website is no longer an added benefit, it’s a necessity. When was the last time you saw a person simply doing nothing? Whether we’re standing in line, sitting on a train or waiting for a friend, we’re making use of any small fragment of free time by pulling out our smartphones. Within a few minutes, on a mobile device, you can check your bank account, shop online or research a restaurant for your next meal.
As of April 21st, Google is catering to smartphone users by changing its search algorithm to favor mobile-friendly sites. Websites that are formatted to look good on cell phone screens will rank higher on searches, while those that look too wide on mobile devices or have text and links that appear too small, will fall lower on search pages.
“As people increasingly search on their mobile devices, we want to make sure they can find content that’s not only relevant and timely, but also easy to read and interact with on smaller mobile screens,” a Google spokeswoman said.
Behind Google’s Algorithm
This move to benefit smartphone users is one of the most significant search optimization changes Google has made in years. Some are calling it “mobilegeddon.”
What exactly is Google looking for and rewarding?
- Readable text size without needing to zoom in
- Content that fits the screen without having to scroll
- Adequate spacing between links for easy touchscreen use
- Avoidance of Flash, which most phones can’t support
- Usability of the site – less clicks to perform a task
If you’re not sure how your website will fare, OSO has several tools to check your site, and would be happy to assist you. For example, click on this link. It’s a test that will analyze a URL and report if the page has a mobile-friendly design.
Need Help?
The good news is that Google’s algorithm is calculated page-by-page and not by looking at the web site as a whole. As different pages are made to be more mobile-friendly, the site will climb higher on the search engine. You can begin by optimizing your home page first, and then follow suit with other important pages on your site.
Don’t be scared by “mobilegeddon.” Optimum Systems Online is available to get your website mobile-ready to climb the SEO ranks. We’re located in Danbury, CT. Give us a call at (203) 942-2883 or contact us online for more information.
