On the 26th of February 2015, Google announced changes to their search algorithm which will affect you starting next month if you do not have a responsive website.
What The Heck Is Responsive?
Responsive design is the most popular technique that allows websites to adjust their content and layout based upon the device its being viewed on, the design responds automatically to its environment. No matter what device you use, whether it is a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The navigation menu bar converts into a button that drop-downs with menu options, content of the website will flow and adjust, several columns become one column and the user will have to scroll only up & down.
Why Does It Matter?
According to the most recent data from Comscore, 1.08 billion people around the world are using smartphones and tablets, and this number is increasing rapidly. More than 91 million Americans and 8 million Canadians over the age of 13 are using smartphones which represents 40% of the mobile users in USA and Canada. 95% used to search for local information, 79.3% used to access news and information, 69.3% used for work and personal emails and 60.7% used for accessing blogs and social networking.
In 2012, Google conducted a focus group survey among 1000+ smartphone users across the US using two independent market research firms. The survey results proved the importance of mobile-friendly websites:
- 72% of participants said that mobile-friendly sites were important to them
- 74% of respondents said they’re more likely to revisit mobile-friendly sites
- 67% are more likely to buy or convert after a visit to a mobile-friendly site
- 61% will “move on” from non-mobile-friendly site
- 48% of users say they feel frustrated and annoyed when they get to a site that’s not mobile-friendly
Changes in Google’s Search Algorithm
Google believes that users should be able to find the most relevant information in an appropriate timely manner, even if users are trying to find information using mobile devices. A large number of people are using mobile devices to search information and Google wants their algorithms to adapt these usage patterns.
Google announced in their official blog that starting from 21st April 2015, they will be expanding their use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This will affect significantly on our search engine results and mobile searches worldwide. Because of these changes, users will be able to fetch relevant and high quality search results.
When Google implements these changes next month, it will have an effect on 40% of the mobile search queries. If your website is not responsive, your business may no longer show up in the search engine results as it appears now.
how can you find out if you need to update your website and how can you be sure if you existing website is responsive or not? Here you go, these are the 4 Simple Ways To Check If Your Website Is Responsive.
You have less than a month to make your website mobile friendly. Are you prepared to deal with these changes?
What is your opinion about the responsive websites and the increasing use of mobile devices?
Looking forward to see your feedback
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Article was originally published by Chirag Khasia on LinkedIn Pulse on March 30th, 2015.
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