It is official: Google loves mobile.
As more people are changing their search habits and turning to mobile, Google is gearing up for algorithm updates to help users find relevant, quality results that they can view on their smartphones and tablets. Starting April 21, Google says that mobile-friendliness will become a ranking factor and it will change mobile searches in all languages worldwide.
With this big change coming up, the big question is, is your business ready and… mobile-friendly?
Google Wants You to Go Mobile-Friendly
An interesting fact about this algorithm update is that Google provided an exact date when the change will happen. Additionally, they suggested specific action plans on how businesses can keep up with the change.One thing is clear here: Google wants—compels you to go mobile. It is giving you a timeline to make the switch and upgrade your website.
Digital marketing experts from TheWebShop.net.au explain that even before the announcement, Google was already pushing website owners to go mobile-friendly. For instance, they added “mobile-friendly” tags to mobile search results. They also introduced a mobile-friendly check tool and included a mobile usability report in Google Webmaster Tools.
In Response to Google
If you want Google to love your site, use effective practices in making your site mobile-friendly. Invest in responsive design. With a responsive design, your readers are able to access your site across different devices without the hassle of resizing or scrolling.
Other than going responsive, you can also use Google’s Mobile Friendly Test so you know exactly which changes you need to make to prepare your site. Update your CMS as well. See if it is the latest version you have, and make the needed security upgrades from there.Never forget to optimise your images. Google focuses on loading speed. As you know, pictures are the number one culprits for slow page loading times in mobile sites. Reduce image sizes and weight to improve the mobile user experience.
How are you gearing up for the algorithm update? Make your site mobile-friendly; work with digital marketing experts to make it happen.