Google Recently announced that if your site doesn’t pass the “mobile friendly test” by April 21st 2015, your site can be taken out of their mobile index. Since the majority of people access the web on mobile, that’s kind of a big deal.

“According to a recent Google blog post, the search giant is currently working on a major algorithm change that will revolutionize the way mobile friendliness is determined. Starting on April 21, this new algorithm will be gradually rolled out worldwide, affecting mobile searches in all languages in all corners of the globe.” -Jayson DeMers, Entrepreneur Magazine

As we started browsing local websites to see who needed our help in staying compliant with Google we ran across a very high number of local sites that didn’t pass the test. Having a mobile compatible site, or a mobile friendly site is not a new thing.

Responsive design has been around for quite some time and, since a majority of searches are now coming from mobile devices, it is definitely not a good thing to have a mobile unfriendly website in 2015.

Our very own City of Richmond website richmondindiana.gov does not pass the test. (Last checked 4/16/2015)

Redesigned so recently, the site should definitely be responsive and mobile compliant, especially for the amount paid and the credentials of the firm that did the redesign.

Why is this a big deal for local businesses?

According to Mitul Gandhi of seoClarity, around 30% of TOTAL traffic comes from mobile, no matter the industry. Locals doing searches for food, services, etc. do so at much higher rates on their mobile while they’re out and about, obviously.

“Apps Now Drive Half of All Time Spent on Digital” – In June 2014, comScore released a report found that…

“Mobile platforms – smartphones and tablets – combined to account for 60% of total digital media time spent, up from 50% a year ago.” –comScore

New Mobile Friendly Rules

Your site must be built on mobile-friendly software, (i.e. no Flash or other protocols that cannot be seen/used by mobile phones)
All of the links on your site must be large enough to tap without “mashing” several links at once or forcing hyper-accuracy of tapping by users.
Your site must not make mobile users scroll to see entire content. Pictures, text, everything must resize to fit the screen properly.
Text must be readable without zooming. If your site appears on a mobile with tiny text, it’s a deal breaker.

Does your site pass the Mobile Friendly Test?

Go here to test your site: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/

Just add your site’s URL and click “Analyze.”

Didn’t pass?

On April 21st, Google will begin deciding who does and does not end up with their new and separate mobile index based on their parameters for “mobile friendliness” according to the new rules.

Talk to your webmaster ASAP to get the recommended changes done before April 21 if at all possible. Google shows you the recommended fixes after you run the test.

If you don’t have a person capable of making the changes, contact Brick Road. We’re working around the clock on a first-come first-served basis to help as many as we can to meet the deadline. Some sites are very easy fixes, while a site like RichmondIndiana.gov can be a lot harder to bring into compliance, depending on the platform.

If you cannot get the changes done in time for the deadline, get them made as soon as you can. Getting re-indexed for mobile search will only happen once you’ve satisfied Google’s requirements.

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References

“Finding more mobile-friendly search results” -Google

Apps Now Drive Half of All Time Spent on Digital -comScore

“Will Your Website Survive the Upcoming Google Mobile Penalty?” -Demin Farnworth, CopyBlogger

“April 21 Is Your Last Chance for Mobile Optimization Before ‘Mobilegeddon‘” -Entrepreneur Magazine