It’s Mobile or Bust: Are You Ready for Google’s New Algorithm?

If you haven’t already heard, Google is implementing a new update to its ranking algorithm today and the changes for mobile search results could be drastic for some sites. Across the web, it’s even been referred to as “Mobilegeddon,” though that is a bit of an overreaction.

Basically, Google announced it will now be looking at site responsiveness as a factor in ranking saying “starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal” So if your site isn’t optimized for mobile, it will most likely lose ground in mobile search results to those that are.

Ultimately, none of this should be a surprise. Unless you run your business and website from the middle of the woods with minimal human contact, you should know how universal mobile has become, and you’ve definitely heard the calls for mobile friendliness (from Google, us and others) before. If you’ve managed to miss the signals leading up to this, you may have bigger problems.

It’s not the end of the world if your website isn’t mobile friendly today, but it should light a fire under your ass to make it so sooner than later. A website optimized for mobile isn’t just about keeping your customers happy anymore, now it’s about keeping the search engines happy too (and you need them to be happy if you want to keep getting visitors). 

Don’t get left behind…

Mobile can’t be ignored

Moving forward with a site that isn’t mobile friendly you’ll more than likely see a decline in your stats as your site loses mobile traffic. If you aren’t already, you need to take mobile seriously and get your website on board ASAP. 

Mobile phones aren’t going away

In fact, they are only getting better. Screens are getting larger, images are getting crisper, and people love using their phones for everything. If you aren’t working towards getting your website mobile responsive, you’re going to miss a huge audience that’s only getting bigger: this year is the year mobile searches are predicted to overtake desktop searches in volume.

People are turning to their phones for everything

When someone is headed to a restaurant, they’re often going to look up directions, menus, and reviews on their phones. And the same goes with most any business. We’re getting used to having everything at our fingertips, and when something pops in our heads, we turn to our phones to start the research process. Our decisions often result from what we found via our smartphones, and if you aren’t in on the action yet, you’re basically handing your competition the group of patrons and clients you’re targeting.

Some people only use mobile devices

There are some people out there who only use their phones to search online. If your website isn’t mobile friendly, you’re completely missing out on all of this traffic. With phones improving, some find that it’s easier to just keep a phone and forget all of the other devices out there. It can be less expensive and less of a hassle, and it’s a growing trend to find your favorite piece of technology, then use it for all your needs, everywhere you go.

It’s not too late

If you’ve waited until now to get your website mobile responsive, there’s still hope, but you can’t afford to wait any longer! If you still don’t believe that having a mobile responsive website is important, then here are a few reasons why you need to jump on board today. 

More traffic

Given the amount of mobile browsing taking place today, having a mobile responsive website opens up your website to more traffic. More traffic in turn helps you get more sales, more conversations, better rankings, and keeps people coming back. If you don’t think your business needs these things, then think again. If you want to have a successful online presence, you need to focus on every device that people can get online with, or you are selling yourself short.

A new way to showcase your website

Having a website that is mobile friendly gives you the opportunity to have some fun. You can play with your design, you can make your website more interactive, and you can include the kind of information that people are looking for on-the-go such as promotional sales, directions, and reviews. You can add coupons to your site that people can scan straight from their phones, and more people are reading emails via phone than ever before, so be sure your newsletters are engaging.

Convenience

If you own a shop or restaurant, why wouldn’t you make it easy to get directions with a single scroll? It’s kind of a no-brainer. People want everything to be easy, and that is why smart phones came into existence. They make life easier. If your website isn’t giving customers a positive and friendly user experience, they are going to move on and may never come back. 

It’s time to embrace mobile devices and how they affect how you market to the public. Don’t fight this one, because you will lose. Google has a job to do, and that’s to make sure people find the best results they’re looking for when they search. Google isn’t backing down (and neither is mobile traffic) so take the time to make your website mobile friendly today, or be prepared to miss out on a huge market.