Google’s Ranking Prioritizes Mobile Friendly Websites

SUDBURY, Ontario - April 29, 2015 - PRLog -- GOOGLE’S RANKING FOR MOBILE FRIENDLY WEBSITES

Here’s How Google’s Mobile Optimization Can Help or Hurt Your Business

Sudbury - Earlier this month Google announced that there were big changes coming to Google’s search engine in favour of mobile friendly websites.

On April 21st, Google’s search engine changed to rank mobile-friendly websites higher over non-mobile friendly sites on their search engine. Marketing experts say Google’s new move will significantly impact small business worldwide.  The experts at Google feel the change favours the consumer, according to its official blog, Webmaster Central Blog.  “Users will find it easier to get relevant, high-quality search results that are optimized for their devices.”

Google’s move to prioritize mobile friendly websites is no surprise given that:

90 per cent of Internet users own a cell phone

94 per cent of people use a mobile phone to search local information.

67 per cent of shoppers say they look up an item online then purchase it in the store

Over 75 percent of mobile device users looked for a product online.

50 per cent of smart phone users are more likely to visit the local store or business within a day of searching for that place on their device, compared to 34 per cent of desktop computer searches

It’s well-known that Google is the search engine powerhouse of the world and owns over 160 technology and internet companies like YouTube. As the go-to search engine, Google dictates where your website ranks in its search engine and how people are directed to, and see, your website content.

“If your website isn't mobile friendly already, you're likely losing traffic, leads, and new business sales. If it's not mobile friendly after April 21st, your losses will grow exponentially,” states Dawn Larsen of Navigator Marketing, one of Ontario’s leading mobile web design firms.

According to Starksem, Google’s mobile search optimization could significantly impact 7 out of 10 businesses and where their websites rank on Google’s search engine.

“Navigator Marketing clients have all incorporated mobile web programming in their websites for years, and we see by their web analytics that mobile traffic to their websites represents at least three-quarters of their traffic volume – so they are well ahead of their competition who don’t have mobile friendly sites,” Larsen adds.

Demian Farnworth, the Copyblogger Media’s chief content writer  says it’s key that Google used the word significant in describing the impact its mobile algorithm will have and gave advance warning of this change. He writes: “My dictionary defines “significant” as “important; of consequence.” It’s the kind of thing you hear from a dead-serious parent. In plain English: You better pay attention.”

Businesses who create mobile friendly websites will capitalize on Google’s algorithm change, says Dawn Larsen.  “It’s about how much revenue you want to leave on the table for your competitors after April 21st,” she says.

The algorithm change has been called mobilegeddon, by the internet marketing world and companies are being told to prepare before the so-called ‘apocalypse’ arrives. But here is a practical example of the impact of the change for a business. A couple wants to purchase a new vehicle. They pull out their mobile device and search on Google for their type of car.

After April 21, if that car dealership’s website isn’t mobile friendly, it will be more difficult for its website to show up in potential customers’ mobile devices when they search for their products and services.

Larsen says there are three steps a company can take to make its website mobile friendly.

Find a reputable mobile web design company that has a proven record of mobile website design.

Find a web design company that has a list of credible testimonials and referrals.

After they have created your mobile friendly website, test it online with various third-party, mobile software to ensure its mobile responsiveness.

Larsen suggests if you’re not sure if your website is mobile friendly you can go to Google’s mobile friendly testing tool and add your web URL to have it analyzed for free.

Google has drawn a line in the sand on April 21. The world has moved to mobile and this change of algorithm will either help your business or really hurt it. It is clear by Google’s new strategy, that there is great potential for big-time gains for your business by serving the mobile world.

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Navigator Marketing is a leading Canadian marketing agency that specializes in mobile web design and video production to increase a business’s leads, profile and sales. Navigator’s head office is in Sudbury, Canada with regional offices in Timmins, North Bay, Parry Sound, Manitoulin Island, and Thunder Bay.

Dawn Larsen is an internet marketing specialist. Larsen helps businesses and corporations develop their marketing strategy to grow their leads, profiles and sales. She has received recognition as Business Woman of the Year and Enterprising Woman of the Year. Connect with Dawn on Facebook.

For more information, contact:

Leslie McDermid, Corporate Communications Coordinator

leslie@navigatormarketing.ca

1.705.918.2090

TAGS – Google, algorithm, mobile-friendly. Mobile web design, Navigator Marketing, Dawn Larsen