Google’s Mobile-First Indexing and What it Means To You
Posted on 2nd June 2018
In 2016, Google announced its plans to implement mobile-first indexing.
Though this has resulted in both positive and negative reactions from users, Google has been conducting regular tests to make sure that switching to a mobile-first index will have a positive impact on user experience.
As more and more internet users switch to predominantly mobile searching and browsing, Google has had to adapt to the needs of its users to ensure that they’re getting the best possible results, in the fastest manner possible. Therefore, sites that are ‘mobile-optimised’ or ‘responsive’ are now given preference in the rankings.
However, what exactly does mobile-first indexing mean? Simply put, that the mobile version of your website is now what will determine its ranking position in Google search results.
This is why Google has been encouraging website owners to make sure that their sites are mobile-friendly for several years now.
Is Google's mobile-first index any reason to be alarmed?
It depends on whether you’ve had your website built responsively or not. If it’s been designed to be responsive - as all it’seeze websites are - then there will be no negative impact on your website at all because Google will see the same website and content when the mobile-first index is in place.
If your website is not responsive, then these changes to Google's index are likely to have a detrimental effect on your ranking positions.
The new mobile-first index gradually began rolling out earlier this year, giving those who did not yet have a responsive website design in place the chance to upgrade to a fully mobile-friendly site. However, now that several months have passed since the roll-out began, Google has started to penalise websites with slow-loading mobile content, with the top search result positions going to those sites that have mobile-optimised web pages and faster loading times.
For those who already have a fully responsive, mobile-friendly website, there’s no need to change anything. However, if you happen to have an older website with separate desktop and mobile versions - particularly if your mobile site contains less content - it's time to make some changes before you lose those valuable Google rankings that have taken years to establish. Having a website that easily adapts to different devices - i.e. a responsive site - is better than having a separate mobile site.
The time is now...
While the full roll-out of Google’s mobile-first index is not yet complete, it’s definitely a good opportunity to make some changes so that your site is responsive and the user experience is improved for all your customers, no matter how they browse your website.
Here at it’seeze Web Design Windsor, every website we create is designed to be fully responsive, helping you to achieve higher Google rankings and to deliver a much better website experience for your prospects and clients.
If you'd like to find out more about the professionally designed, mobile-friendly websites we create, and our affordable web design packages, call us today on 01753 201 204 or leave us a message and we'll get back to you.
Tagged as: web design
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