I love how simple the introduction of Sara Angeles’ Business News Daily article sounds, “Want to rank higher on Google search results? Make sure your website is mobile-optimized.”
Of course, Google’s search algorithm is much more complex than this one, single variable. In fact, there are over 200 variables that come in to play in Google’s determination of where you and your website show up for viewers all around the world. However, there will be much more truth to Ms. Angeles’ statement by next month.
On April 21, 2015, the mega-search master intends to begin ranking websites and content that can be easily accessed by a mobile device (phone, tablet, etc.) higher in the search engine results than websites that choose not to upgrade. Google clearly stated in their formal notice that this update to the formula “significantly impacts” how all websites will rank across the globe.
This news certainly did not come as a shock to us here at Integrity Marketing. I glanced back through our blog history to find posts about web user research, workshop topics, design tips and more about the importance of a mobile-friendly website in Estate Planning and Elder Law marketing – some dating back to 2007 – whoa!
In case you missed some of them, I’ve included links below. But here are a few highlights we hit regarding responsive design so you know what this mobile-friendly hoopla is all about.
Responsive Design
A responsive website design automatically adjusts to make sure your website looks like a perfect 10, no matter the device – desktop, tablet, phone.
- Give it a try! Open one of the websites from our portfolio on your desktop computer.
- Make the screen full size.
- Now, slowly drag the side of the browser in about halfway. You should see the design automatically adjust to “Tablet View.”
- We’re not done yet! Keep dragging the browser in. Now you should be able to see the design in “Mobile View.”
- See photos below. Cool, right?
- A responsive website provides an optimum user-experience, easily showing the most important parts of your website in an appropriate and effective layout automatically, regardless of the screen size.
- A responsive website means you don’t need a separate mobile site – just one design to update once, instead of multiple sites to manage.
- In case you feel like your target audience is probably not concerned about mobile-devices, search engines find over half of all local searches are performed on a mobile devices. Remember, sometimes it’s the children of your target audience that are helping their parents find help with their estate plans or asset protection.
- Last but not least, the number one search engine is weighting mobile-friendliness in determining what websites to show to people searching for Estate Planning and Elder Law issues.
If you do not have a website for your company yet but were considering contacting IMS, please know that all of our new designs for new clients are mobile-friendly, (beautiful) responsive websites.
If you are already an Essential Solution client who has been considering a responsive website upgrade, now is the time! Give us a call and we'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about how to get started.
Reference: Sara Angeles, Business News Daily (March 3, 2015) - “Google Gives Mobile-Friendly Sites a Boost in Search Ranking.”
IMS Blog Posts RE: Mobile-Friendly Websites:
Is Your Website Designed for Thumbs?
5 Great Things About Responsive Design