Tuesday 21st April 2015 will be a watershed moment for businesses and Markers alike. Google will make a massive change to the way it ranks websites.
This change makes Panda and Penguin look like minor tweaks in terms of its impact on search results, according to Google’s Webmaster Trends analyst Zineb Ait Bahajji.
The impact it will have on your website will be down to one very important factor: whether your website, landing pages, and blog are fully optimized for mobile.
If your website isn’t fully optimized for mobile, you will likely see a drop in your Google rankings – it’s already being called “Mobilegeddon.”
Google announced the change in February and has been trying to prepare Marketers and website owners to predict how the change may affect their website and traffic ever since, stating;
“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.”
But worry not, Google has kindly provided a free assessment tool (below) to test how mobile-friendly your website is and identify what you need to do;
So, the Google tool has uncovered some gremlins that you need to tackle, what to do next?
Here are some questions you may have…
1) I’m not ready for a redesign…do I have to?
You may not need a full re-design to comply with Google’s requirements, simply move your existing site, blog or landing pages to a mobile friendly platform.
2) Is my site permanently de-ranked?
No it’s not, but move quickly so that you don’t miss out on too much traffic.
3) What other elements should I consider in optimizing my website for mobile?
Ensure your site loads properly and the font is clear on mobile. Also, consider the length of your forms on mobile devices.
Takeaway
Despite rumours of “Mobilegeddon”, Google’s latest Algorithm change will not bring the walls of ecommerce crashing down. Use it as an opportunity to upgrade your website, delivering better customer experience and ultimately drive more leads and revenue for your company.
Stuart Banbery is the Marketing Manager for Interactive Software, developers of CRM solutions, booking systems, training management software and Medical solutions.
