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Is your Website Mobile-Friendly? Preparing for Google’s April 21^st Update

With the increasing use of mobile phones for Google searches across the world, it is only expected that Google’s next algorithm update will focus on mobile. And as anticipated by experts, Google will roll out its next update on April 21^st which will focus on mobile friendliness of websites. 

In recent years, mobile search users experienced frustrations with websites not designed for mobile, requiring the user to zoom in, tilt, scroll left and right, and almost every possible move for a website to be at least readable. Mobile users can now say goodbye to the frustration with this new Google update.

What to Expect of the April 21^st Update?

Deliberate changes in various mobile related apps and functions have been seen lately, including changes in Google play, presentation of mobile SERPS, and some development guidelines affecting mobile. Thus, it wasn’t too surprising when Google announced in its Google Webmaster Central blog that, “Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.”

What is a Mobile-Friendly Site?

A mobile-friendly site is basically a site that makes the mobile user experience easier and more convenient. The core trait of a mobile-friendly site is being readable with all the necessary information handy without having to tweak the view. Additionally, Google provided guidelines for sites to follow, see it here. You can also read the Webmaster’s Mobile Guide for a more comprehensive information about being mobile-friendly.

Other characteristics of a mobile-friendly site are the following:

• Not using software that is uncommon on mobile devices, like Flash
• Text formatting that is readable without zooming
• Sizing content to the screen so users don’t have to scroll horizontally or zoom
• Places links far enough apart so that the correct one can be easily tapped

Is Your Site Mobile-Friendly?

There are two ways to determine whether your site is mobile-friendly or not.

The first is by searching your site using different sizes of mobile devices. If reading and getting information from your site is easy, then it may be a mobile-friendly site.

For a more reliable result, you may also use the Mobile-Friendly Test.

 

If you’re website is not mobile friendly, you still have time to act! Velocity Local can build a mobile friendly version of your website and have it live and ready for Google BEFORE THE UPDATE! Call us today and go mobile, (888) 246-0606.