Nicole Romeo, May 19, 2015
On April 21st, Google officially updated its algorithm 
to begin using mobile-friendliness as a ranking metric. This change, which Webmasters and digital marketers have dubbed Mobilgeddon, gives higher authority and ranking to website’s that utilize responsive web design and was instituted to improve mobile search results. It is certainly now more important than ever for your website to be optimized for viewing on mobile devices.
Today, the majority of Google searches are conducted on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. If you're website is not optimized for mobile devices, you are likely experiencing a decline in your search rankings, resulting in decreased visibility, site traffic and conversions.
To make your website as user-friendly as possible on mobile devices, make sure your website contains all of the items on our SEO Mobile Checklist:
1. Mobile-friendly in Search Results
Mobile-friendly websites have a "Mobile-friendly" indication listed next to the site on search results, as shown above. If you are unsure whether your website is mobile-friendly, you can simply type your website into a Google search. If the "Mobile-friendly" indication appears, then you're safe. You can also use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test, which will analyze your URL and report if the site page has a mobile-friendly design.
2. Responsive Layout
In order for your website to be mobile-friendly, it has to have a responsive layout. Responsive web design will not only increase your mobile search results, but also it will enhance user experience, thus boosting your sales. Mobile users are unlikely to revisit or make purchases from websites that they have had trouble accessing and navigating. An unresponsive website requires visitors to zoom and shrink the page to view page elements, images and content. This can be frustrating and cause potential customers to leave your site without making a purchase.
With responsive web design, your website adjusts to fit the screen of all electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets. This provides an optimum user experience, making it easier to navigate your website and make purchases from mobile devices. Our web designers can make your website responsive without altering any existing content or elements on your site.
3. Responsive Menu
Along with a responsive layout, make sure your website has a responsive menu. Your main menu should be listed across the top or left side of the page and be optimized to fit on the screen of all devices. Another alternative for mobile devices is having a click-to-open menu, in which the consumer can click on a button to open the full menu.
4. Click-to-Dial Phone Number
Include a click-to-dial phone number at the top of each web page, so visitors can easily contact your business. With a clickable link, consumers can simply click on the phone number to bring up their phone's dialer, rather than having to complete the tedious task of having to copy the number text, navigate to a phone app, and then manually paste in the number. Click-to-call phone numbers are valuable to both site owners and consumers. It provides consumers with a more user-friendly experience, while generating quicker conversions for businesses.
To learn more about optimizing your website for mobile devices, contact our digital marketing experts at Webimax: 1-888-932-4629.
