You must know that :
94% of smartphone users look for local information
51% visit a store after an online search
48% contact by phone a store after an online search
29% purchase in stores quickly after an online search
In view of these figures resulting from the study The Mobile via Google Play Books, Google decided to bring new and changed its algorithm to favour websites called “mobile friendly”.
Since April 21 2015, Google updated its algorithm for mobile, that defining the correct positioning of websites when users search from a smart phone. In terms of SEO, we speak of a new approach for indexing mobile optimized sites: the site automatically adapts to the screen size and allowing more fluid and enjoyable navigation users.
But what does it means to be “mobile friendly”?
The trend is clearly moving in by 2015 and we no longer speak of user experience only on a desktop site or the so-called “UX design”. The user experience provided by a site via a mobile support is THE major issue since 2015, in view of the explosion of mobile usage in the human experience, it is clear that it is more pleasant to navigate a suitable Site in adequation to size of the screen used. The “mobile friendly” attitude is therefore set for this year and Google will not hesitate to indirectly punish those who do not follow this evolution of Internet consumer.
what change are we talking about?
In general, Google ranks websites according to their PageRank (degrees of popularity) and quality of their content. The change is the emergence of a new ranking criterion which is the site’s ability to adapt to mobile screens and its loading speed. The change will directly affect the entire strategy implementation for optimal SEO.
This new criterion will rapidly redistribute seats in the ranking of search results by promoting the websites “mobile-friendly” without penalizing directly those who are not.
How to get the “mobile friendly” label?
- Avoid Flash content and promote the use of HTML5.
- Increase the font size of your content to avoid the user to zoom.
- Tailor your content (text or video) to the screen size but mostly it has to be quality and optimized.
- Always check the loading time.
What are the consequences for non mobile compatible websites?
- Those who are not compatible will not be well referenced on mobile devices and will lose their position in favour of those who are mobile friendly.
- According to the specialized agency “Search Foresight” non-compatible sites may lose 10% of global traffic, knowing that 92% of traffic benefits the top candidates that is to say those who occupy the first result page and especially the first three ones.
How to know if your site is mobile friendly?
Although this change is not good news for many companies, Google does not allow you to retire. It provides a platform for you to check if your site is mobile friendly. If it turns out that your site does not comply with requirements, Google tells you the points on which you need to work. do the test!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this fundamental change in SEO. Our teams are mobilized so that this innovation will not heavily affect your positioning. Our customers have already been informed and supported on time, and you ? what are you waiting for ?