Changes to Google Search

Mobile-Friendly Websites

Important changes to Google search engine: Is your website mobile-friendly?

As of 21 April 2015, Google will be ranking mobile-friendly websites higher than websites that are not specifically designed for a mobile device. Google have been applying 'mobile friendly' tags to websites that have a mobile responsive design and will now be ranking these sites higher when users search on a mobile device.

Google have stated:

Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimised for their devices.

This is a major change to Google's search engine algorithm when ranking websites and will certainly impact mobile search traffic for websites that do not have a mobile-friendly website. If you have been thinking about making your existing website mobile-friendly/responsive, then we would highly recommend that now is the time to make the change. We would suggest for any business that requires a brand new website that a responsive website design is part of your business requirements when developing your website strategy.

What is a ‘mobile-friendly’ website?

A mobile-friendly website is a version of your desktop website that has been specially designed and optimised for a mobile device.

What is a ‘responsive’ website?

A responsive website is specifically designed and optimised to allow your desktop website to shrink and grow for all screen sizes/devices (i.e. mobile, ipad, laptop, etc) and will morph into a single column layout when displayed on a mobile screen.

Is your website optimised for mobile devices? Unsure about what to do?

Google provides a nifty online tool you can use to test if you website is mobile-friendly. If Google ranks your website as Not mobile-friendly, we can help make the necessary changes to your site and ensure your website is not affected by this change. Give us a call today on (0)8 8464 0787 or send us an email.

ARTICLE TAGS: GOOGLE | WEBSITE | WEB DEVELOPMENT | KOOLTH | ADELAIDE | SOUTH AUSTRALIA