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Category: Responsive Web Design

Google wants YOUR website to be mobile friendly right NOW…Is it?

Is your website mobile friendly?

According to Google’s Webmaster Blog, “To improve the mobile search experience, after January 10, 2017, pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results may not rank as highly.”

What does this mean for your business?  

If you want to rank highly on Google’s search results, your website has to be considered mobile friendly.

 

What does mobile friendly even mean?

When you open a business’s website on your phone and you have to pinch the screen to zoom in so that you can read it, that is indicative of a non-mobile friendly site.  The website does not distinguish how it shows up based upon the device on which it is being viewed.  If you make it more difficult for someone on your website to access information, they are much more likely to leave.

 

Why did Google do this?

According to Marketing Land, 60% of consumers time is spent browsing the internet on their mobile devices.  Additionally, 75% of people will search on their phone for a business that they want to connect with  (Google Partners).

Google wants to make browsing the internet as easy and as safe as possible for the average web user.  Therefore, they are going to return websites in the search results that they believe exhibit these traits.  If you are not one of these websites, your ranking position is likely to drop.

Even worse, if your competition IS one of those mobile friendly websites, their position is likely to rise.

 

What do I need to know about Google’s mobile friendly algorithm?

Important updates to be aware of are (Search Engine Land):

  • The new mobile friendly algorithm was rolled out in January 2017
  • It is an on or off algorithm, which means that you are 100% mobile friendly or you are not
  • It will be on a page-by-page basis

 

How do I know if my site is mobile friendly?

Google has released a tool where you can check your site for mobile friendliness: https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly

 

If you have employed one of the following techniques, your website will be considered mobile friendly:

  1. Adaptive Design: Your website changes the content served based on the viewing device.
  2. Responsive Design: Your website has a fluid layout that changes based on the viewing device.
  3. Mobile-Only site: You have a separate mobile site that shows only on mobile devices.  This is no longer recommended because Google indexes your mobile site only.

 

What should I do if my website is not mobile friendly?  I want to be returned highly in the search results!

If you do not have a mobile friendly website, there are four options to explore.

  1. Additions to Existing Website:  You can make responsive additions to your existing website that will allow the site to account for the viewing device.
  2. Website Redesign:  You can redesign your website as a responsive website, which will ensure that it shows properly on all devices.  Additionally, you can add in other changes for other Google updates, such as the new SSL requirement.
  3. Create a Separate Mobile Site:  You can keep your site as is and have a mobile site that is served only to mobile users.  Again, this is not recommended because Google now indexes your mobile site only.
  4. Do Nothing: If you do not want to rank highly on Google’s search algorithm, then you can leave your site as is.

 

Need help implementing options one, two or three?  Contact IFTS, Inc. for more details.

 

What is Responsive Web Design and Do I Need It?

Responsive web design (RWD) is a nifty and innovative technique that dynamically adjusts how your website presents itself and interacts with users, based on the device they are using. In today’s digital landscape, where mobile devices have surpassed desktops in terms of usage since 2014, almost all modern websites employ RWD. It’s undeniable that designing a website solely for desktops won’t cut it anymore when it comes to delivering a seamless user experience on mobile devices.

When mobile versions of websites were introduced in the past, they often lacked full functionality and content compared to their desktop counterparts. Users were not willing to compromise when accessing websites on their tablets or phones. However, responsive design entered the scene and saved the day by ensuring that all information and functionality were available to users, regardless of the device they were using. The only difference lies in how the content is displayed.

To get a better idea of how responsive web design works, take a look at Integrity First Corporation’s stylish website. Their website serves as an excellent example of how RWD seamlessly adapts to different devices. The screenshots provided below showcase how the site appears on desktops, tablets, and phones, highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of responsive design.

INFDesktopExampleImage
Figure 1. INF Desktop Screenshot

Figure 1 is the site on a desktop.  Note how the main menu and social media information is to the far right.

INFTabletExampleImage
Figure 2. INF Tablet Screenshot

Figure 2 is the site on a tablet.  Note how the main menu and social media information go across the whole top of the page now because the available screen display is reduced.  Additionally, the mountain picture is smaller and has lesser resolution to speed load time.

INFPhoneExampleImage
Figure 3. INF Mobile Phone Screenshot

Finally, Figure 3 is the site on a mobile phone.  Because phones have a much smaller processor in them, the main picture drops completely and only the information is displayed to increase load time.  The menu is now a drop-down in the upper-right hand corner so that it takes up less valuable viewing space.  Additionally, the phone number is now a link that when touched, will prompt your phone to dial it.

If you are currently in the process of creating a website or giving your existing one a facelift, it is crucial to ensure that it is responsive. While it may require some extra effort during the designing and building phases, the benefits of a responsive website will more than make up for it in the end. By attracting and retaining satisfied customers, you will create a positive user experience that sets your website apart from the competition.

Let us know if you need help with improving your website design by contacting si@iftsdesign.com!