Google Gets Serious on Mobile Friendly Sites
Google's PageSpeed tester has changed over the past few months, hinting that the search engine giant was taking a harder look at your web site's mobile usability. Over the past week, the company has turned up the heat on sites that are not mobile-friendly. Emails have gone out from Google notifying webmasters about sites that do not pass its mobile usability tests.
What Does This Mean?
To some extent, this isn't new news. In the past, separate mobile (redirected by various means) and desktop sites were acceptable. Since mid 2012, Google has said that responsive web design is the "recommended configuration" to ensure a quality user experience for all web visitors.
The difference with the latest round of mass emails is that it suggests mobile friendly may affect mobile and desktop site ranking in the near future. The implication is that if your site isn't mobile friendly, it won't rank well on mobile devices.
Why Won't My Older Site Make Google Happy? It's Only a Few Years Old!
In technology speak, a few years is ancient. It was only in 2007 that the iPhone first came onto the market; but in less than a decade the mobile internet worldwide has grown by leaps and bounds. We can't ignore the billions (with a B!) of mobile devices that your potential customers use to surf the web. In that sense, Google is forcing your hand to be up-to-date for the sake of mobile internet users everywhere.
What Do I Have to Do to Make Google Happy?
Web sites built by Footbridge Media in mid-to-late 2012 through now were built using responsive web design. If that's the case, you're done!
If your site was built before mid 2012 or built by any other company, it may be time to overhaul your existing Footbridge Media site or sign up with our contractor marketing program to meet Google's recommendations. These changes aren't small programming changes or quick fixes; instead, they are site wide structural changes. View it as an opportunity to freshen up your site's look and feel with improvements that will help to convert more mobile users into clients.
About Chris Lonergan
Chris Lonergan has over 12 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries - helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR - Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Service Roundtable's blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
