10 Oct Is Your Website Mobile Friendly?

Is your website ready for viewing on all mobile devices, If not what’s the Big Deal?

This is a question many of us simply cannot answer, not because we are ignorant about what is going on the internet today… Instead, it is because of the changes search engine giants such as Google, Yahoo, Bing etc. keep constituting what determines the impact of how your website and other online presences are positioned. What is a fully mobile friendly website?

This article is in response to a major change Google made to their algorithm back in April 2015 that has since revolutionised the standards expected from every website today.

The wide use of mobile internet and smartphone users in 2012 has grown and does not show any sign of stopping soon. The use of 4G is now standard network coverage across more countries around the world and the owners of smartphones, tablets and smartwatches are growing rapidly.

The number one problem with a website that is not mobile-friendly, is that prospective customers browsing the internet whilst on the go are naturally in a rush. Even when they land on your old-fashioned website, chances are it will not display well on their mobile device. This usually requires hard work to navigate swiftly; as a result, users click off and find a website willing to accommodate Responsive Design. This mobile responsible idea ensures that your website adjusts to whichever devices it is being viewed on, giving a fluid and hassle-free web surfing experience. When the same mobile-friendly website is viewed on a desktop, it automatically retains a desktop format.

Google has in fact informed web hosts such as TAD360 back in February 2015, that their response to this growing number of mobile device users was to update their existing search engine algorithm to favour websites that are mobile-friendly over traditional websites. The Google search engine exists to ensure relevant content are delivered to intended audiences searching for it. This means that a traditional website that is not mobile-friendly becomes downgraded over time. You don’t have to take our words for it, here is a test carried out in Fig 1. as follow using an associate’s website before and after it was redesigned to be a mobile responsive website.

 

Fig 1.

Over time the non-mobile friendly website in Fig 1. will fade away into pages further down in all search engine results.

Google said there are more searches done from mobile devices than there is from a desktop. What does this mean for you as a website owner or business that heavily relies on an online presence? For example, if you get to your doorstep, try to open the door and the key breaks in the keyhole. Should you wish to call a local locksmith what will your first choice most likely be? A mobile, tablet or desktop search?

Whilst you’re thinking about that here is another scenario, your car broke down on a hard shoulder of a motorway and you reach for your glove compartment to find your recovery company’s number, their contact details are not there. Which of the following do you consider next: calling the emergency services or searching for the recovery company’s name from your mobile phone?

Here is another finding showing how customers view emails today.

Fig 2.

As a full digital marketing agency in Manchester with a passion to bring awareness and developments within the web design and marketing sector, we have the solution for each client. You do not want to miss out on the best of 60% of prospective clients looking for your product(s) or service(s) in 2016 and beyond.

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If you would like to know more about Responsive Design and what it means for your business, You can email [email protected] or call 0161 850 5113 to book an hour 1 to 1 free session at one of our offices.