Deadline for Mobile-Optimizing Your Website

While watching TV, you saw a commercial for a cool, new gadget. Dying to learn more about it, you pulled your phone out to Google it. You clicked on the first link that popped up. Ugh! It wasn’t a mobile friendly website so you went back and clicked on the second link. Ah, much better! Fortunately for us frequent Googlers, we will no longer have this problem.
This past April 21st, Google introduced a new algorithm for better mobile search optimization worldwide. It will alter ranking algorithm for searches done on mobile devices for good. So what does this mean for your business? It means if your company’s website does not have a mobile version, it can greatly hurt the ability for customers to search and find you on the internet. Google’s new algorithm is ranking websites without a mobile or responsive version drastically lower to appeal to mobile users. In short, your search visibility will be negatively impacted.
Google wants to make searches as easy and convenient as possible for its users. More than 60% of all Google searches are done on a mobile device [1]. As more and more people use the internet on their mobile devices, Google has to adapt to these changes. With the new algorithm, users will be able to get relevant, high-quality search results that are optimized for their devices [2]. Statistically, mobile platforms – smartphones and tablets – account for 60% of total digital media time spent [3]. With so many mobile users, Google’s goal is to enhance the experience for its users.
Along with more mobile-friendly search results, Google’s new algorithm includes relevant app content in search results. As long as the user has the app installed, results from the indexed app will appear as a search result. Search results will now not only focus exclusively on websites but also on apps and other mobile tools.
Although mobile usability has always been a factor in Google’s search algorithm, it has been limited and ambiguous. Since the factors were broad and unclear, some companies have chosen to not invest in optimizing their websites for mobile devices. However, now those companies will face negative consequences: lower search visibility. Optimizing your website for mobile is a must!
Will your company be in trouble? Especially if you are a restaurant, spa, beauty salon, retail store or a business to consumer service provider, the response is yes. Luckily for you, Different Perspective can help! With our vast knowledge in website development, we are experienced in designing fully responsive websites that are optimized for desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Make sure to contact us and schedule an appointment with our team!
[1] According to Entrepreneur 
[2] According to Google Webmaster Central Blog
[3] According to ComScore