We have been rapping on this for years it seems (actually it has been years, first time we used WPTouch was 2013) and now the GOOG has warned us of their impending Mobile-Friendly Algorithm Update.
It’s important enough not to be a cute and cuddly, Penguin or Panda but more like Mobilegeddon, Mobocalypse, Mobilepocalyse or mopocalypse,
Google’s Mobile-Friendly Algorithm Update live on April 21st 2015
The search engine has warned (yes they have used that word, not notified, not topld, not announced, but WARNED!) that any website that does not follow their mobile ready guidelines (yes they made their own of course at Google) will be seriously affected by this update. Read that as “if you have not got a mobile friendly site they just will NOT show up in searches on any phone or tablet!”
Now that being said, it should be noted that this update will only affect the mobile search queries and not the desktop search queries. However this is a HUGE move by Google considering the fast growing base of mobile users.
What exactly is Google Looking for?
“Mobile-only” web designs and templates are actually pretty easy to build and mostly economical in development cost.
Responsive websites are a bit more complicated to build; having a bigger upfront cost. One important consideration in all this is the “lifetime” cost.
Over time, it can be much more cost-effective to build a responsive website and optimize it for all standard resolutions. This also means that future updates related to content are to be done at one place instead of multiple versions of the website(s) that cater to each screen width.
And when we are looking at WordPress websites, what we are really talking about is Responsive Themes.
Future Proof Your Sites
Now even if your site does make the Google grade today, there’s never a guarantee that it will continue to stand up to future changes. Staying on top of mobile search trends needs to be a priority item. Mobile designs may not be fully compatible with future mobile browsers or devices.
Responsive websites, in contrast, will most likely be able to work with newer browsers and devices, so they’re more of a one-time investment.
WordPress Responsive Themes
Right so lets look at why you should jump into WordPress Responsive Themes now:
Pros
- Ultimately Flexible – one responsive template works on all devices, so only one template has to be loaded and maintained
- It’s Google’s recommended configuration (duh!) – do we need to stress this more?
- Better return on investment – generally most responsive sites won’t need much future maintenance to comply with new browsers
Cons
- Can be more expensive upfront cost ~ however we’re normally talking about a $69 template over a $49 template to start with…
So what to do??
First easy thing to do is ask Google if your site is indeed already mobile freindly in theoir eyes. Head over to their handy Mobile-Friendly test and see how you do.
Swap to a WordPress Responsive Theme
A fast and easy way for those of you lucky enough to have a website built on WordPress is to switch your template top a responsive theme.
We have built 100% of all our website designs for the past 2 years on StudioPress Genesis WordPress Responsive Themes. See our portfolio and see how they are clean and fast and simple, then adjust size of your browser and watch it respond!
Infographic: Mobile SEO Tips To Help You Survive The Coming Google Mopocalypse
