Editor’s note: The Inside Track is a recurring column written by a local business professional. Authors of these columns aim to provide you with their own perspective on a current trend or development within their industry, getting you on The Inside Track.
A new update is coming to Google on April 21st. Google is issuing a new algorithm change that will reward sites that have implemented responsive, mobile-friendly frameworks, making mobile-friendliness now a ranking factor for websites. Though businesses have been encouraged to incorporate responsive design for better user experience in the past, this will be the first time that Google has taken active measures to make responsive design a must, rather than a useful addition.
By making mobile responsiveness an actual ranking factor in Google’s index, mobile-friendly websites will be rewarded with optimal visibility on Google searches. As of April 21st, companies penalized for not having mobile-friendly websites may not only see reduced traffic (and leads), but a reduction in their search engine optimization efficiency.
Any energy put into organic SEO in the last four years could amount to nothing if your website does not use a clean, modern programming approach. Companies that are winning in the Internet leads game are keeping up with how search is evolving.
Businesses must understand that the Google update seeks to weed out old websites and reward modern ones. A mobile responsive website is no longer a plus, it’s a 100 percent must.
Though companies might feel under pressure from the upcoming Google update, it should be a reminder that moving to a mobile-friendly webpage design will greatly benefit customers and users as well. With the increased usage of apps and the growing industry shift toward owning and using mobile phone and tablets, it is easy to see that a significant shift in consumer mindset is occurring. By implementing mobile responsive design, companies make it easier for their customers to shop and find services while accessing their website on mobile devices.
Some things to keep in mind while updating your site to be mobile-friendly are:
- Avoid using software that is not support on most mobile devices, like Flash.
- Use text that is legible without zooming.
- Size content so that users can navigate your site without scrolling horizontally or zooming on a mobile device.
- Place links far enough apart so that they can easily be tapped by a finger.
- Make sure every single page is mobile-friendly, as Google determines mobile friendliness on a page-by-page basis. It is important that the entire site passes.
If you have yet to update your website to be mobile-friendly, do not wait until after the Google update takes effect. Getting your website up-to-date will ensure that you are not penalized once the update occurs and that your site maintains visibility and traffic.
Matthew Janik is the owner of Vancouver-based Fringe Digital Marketing Agency, online at fringewebpro.com.
