Google Showing More Love for Mobile-Friendly Websites

Google is showing yet more muscle in an attempt to highlight the importance of mobile-friendly websites; making it clearer than ever to website owners that websites need to be accessible and usable across multiple platforms.

The search engine giant has recently been testing a ‘non-mobile friendly’ icon to show users what is available to them — yet more evidence that Google is taking this seriously.

Browsing on the move is now more popular than ever with, with the number of UK smartphone users having more than doubled in the last three years. Whether that is a tablet or a smartphone it makes it almost impossible for a website to be ‘non mobile friendly’ these days. The latest move by Google should now kick start businesses into thinking seriously about implementing mobile strategies as part of their wider online marketing strategies. Using the internet on the move is projected to take over the more traditional desktop and laptop use by the end of this year, which for business who are yet to adopt mobile technologies, should be a cause for concern.

50% of searches are now carried out on a mobile device and a staggering 86% of mobile internet users’ use their devices whilst watching television. One in three of all UK online sales are made from a mobile or tablet device. The stats and figures mount up and really prove that businesses need to move with the times pretty quickly if they are to keep existing customers and attract new customers.

User Behaviour Is Changing

Google has always claimed that its search engine algorithm is based around the fundamental principal of providing users with the best possible search results and the best possible experience. Today’s mobile web users are becoming increasingly savvy and less likely to put up with a sub-standard website that requires time and effort to navigate on a mobile or tablet device. With so many other options available, users are increasingly likely to click off and choose an alternative that does cater for mobile users.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense that Google would favour mobile-friendly sites in its mobile search results, as it provides users with a better set of results and a better experience.

Earlier this year, Google changed its PageSpeed Insights tool to include separate recommendations for mobile — a further nod to how seriously Google is taking mobile.

It’s Time to Get Ahead of the Competition

Google regularly tests out new features in its search results, and we’re yet to see the ‘non-mobile friendly’ icon rolled out as a permanent feature. However, mobile is becoming increasingly prominent and these small features are just a sign of things to come. Now is the time to adopt mobile and future-proof your website.

For more information about going mobile, contact the team at Red Snapper today, and we’d be happy to discuss your options.

Red Snapper is London’s original web agency. We’ve been building websites for household-brand names since 1995. We understand Magento inside and out and you can see examples of the end result by visiting our portfolio page. For more information about how we can design and develop the ideal e-commerce site for your business, get in touch with the team at Red Snapper today