On April 21st, 2015 Google released its latest search algorithm update. These updates are meant to improve Google Searches, with the most recent change sprouting from a steady rise in the volume of searches from mobile devices (tablets, smartphones). Google’s ‘Mobilegeddon’ update aims to provide mobile users better search results on any given device. We are now slowly seeing these changes take effect – mobile-friendly websites are rising to the top of search results, while older non-responsive sites are eliminated from the top rankings.
So how exactly does a website become “mobile-friendly?” In order to be categorized as a mobile-friendly website, it must be responsive to the different screen sizes of mobile devices on the market today. The website must adjust to these varying screen sizes while retaining the same URL address.
You can test your own website for mobile-compatibility by visiting Google’s webmaster’s section of their website, or by clicking here.
This tool runs websites through a series of responsive tests, and generates previews of how sites will display across various screen sizes. If your site is not mobile-friendly, it will flag the components which did not pass the test so that they can be addressed.
You could be losing out on business by using a non-responsive website, as mobile browsing now accounts for over 51% of Google’s total search volume. Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, this algorithm change will dramatically impact traffic to your website and ultimately your business.
Don’t forget to run the mobile-friendly test on your website and find out if your website meets current requirements. If it doesn’t, contact us today for a great deal on responsive web design.