Mobile devices are officially in Google’s sights. As of yesterday, April 21, 2015, Google is changing the way it ranks websites . This change is based on a single criterion: the optimization of websites, landing pages and blogs for mobile devices.
Are you prepared for this change?
Google announced that it will change its algorithm on its Webmaster Central Blog in February:
“Starting April 21, we will expand the use of mobile-friendliness as a search ranking factor. This change will cover mobile search in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact on our search results. As a result, users will find it easier to get high-quality, relevant information tailored to their devices.”If your website is not optimized for mobile devices , you will probably notice a drop in rankings. This change has been dubbed “ Mobilegeddon ” by many analysts . It sounds ominous, but there are solutions! In this article, we will present them, as well as some facilitating tools , provided by Google.
Test your site’s mobile readiness
In addition to its imaginative seasonal doodles , Google does many other amazing things. This free tool allows you to see how mobile- ready your website is and what actions to take.
By entering your website address, you will have access to a quick analysis that determines whether it is ready for mobile devices. If it is not optimized, in addition to an error message, you will know which problems need to be resolved .
Have you taken the test yet? Let’s move on then!
Choose your mobile optimization model
If your content isn’t optimized, it’s important to make changes to reflect the new algorithm . Even the best landing page will see a drop in traffic if it’s not youtube has experienced quite rapid optimized for mobile devices.
To solve this problem, Google recognizes 3 different configurations as mobile-friendly . You can work your content in any of the following options:
-
Responsive design
This is Google’s preferred design pattern. This potential apple search feature is because responsive design doesn’t create two copies of the same website . There is only one URL and the site adapts automatically, whether accessed via a smartphone or a computer .
-
Dynamic Serving
Similar to responsive design, the dynamic rendering method hong kong phone number keeps the URL, but the HTML changes. This method uses so-called “superagents” to detect the type of device that is accessing the site . It then dynamically displays the appropriate display.
According to Google, this system is more prone to technical errors . Still, it is a viable option to adapt to the new algorithm .
-
Mobile Website
Creating a mobile-only website is one of the first versions of this optimization and meets Google ‘s requirements . Each time a new user arrives, this configuration detects the device in question and redirects them to the appropriate website.
This method is not as recommended as responsive design because companies have to maintain two versions of the content and Google has to detect these two versions.
Avoid common mistakes with Google listings
In addition to the mobile optimization tool , Google has created a list of common errors . One example? Flash videos and other content that are unwatchable and slow down the site. See the rest of the list here .
Frequently asked questions about mobile optimization
- I’m not ready to change the design of my website. Do I need to do it now?
You may not need to completely redesign your website to comply with Google’s new requirements . What you do need to do is move your current website, blog , or landing pages to a mobile-friendly platform.
- Will my site be permanently penalized if I don’t make this update now?
No, you can recover your rankings when you do this. However, we recommend that you update your rankings as soon as possible so that you don’t lose traffic every day until then. According to some estimates, mobile-optimized sites are three times more likely to increase their mobile conversion rate .
- What other elements should I consider when optimizing my website for mobile devices?
Make sure your website loads properly and that the font is large enough for mobile devices. On landing pages , opt for short, more attractive forms that can be filled out on mobile devices.