Google recently announced that the mobile friendliness of a website will officially impact search rankings starting April 21st. Websites that are mobile-friendly will hold a competitive advantage over those that are not. With an increasing number of Internet users accessing websites on their mobile devices, the search engine leader wants to make it easier for searchers to find what they are looking for.
In addition to your search results, there are several other reasons why you need to have a mobile-friendly website — now:
Local SEO
For small businesses engaging in local SEO, having a mobile-friendly website is especially important. Studies show that many smartphone users utilize their mobile device to find local businesses rather than their desktop computer. This trend may be due in part to the fact that many people lead busy lives and are always on the go. So, for example, if they are in their basement and discover a leaky pipe, it is much more convenient to search for a plumber in their area using their smartphone, rather than log on to their desktop computer upstairs.
Website Preference
Studies also show that many Internet users actually prefer mobile websites to desktop websites.Possible reasons include the usability and ease-of-use of mobile websites. Internet users who are far from tech savvy may choose mobile websites due to their simplicity and easy-to-navigate layout.
Leads
If you don’t have a mobile-friendly website, you are seriously missing out on potential leads. With more and more users relying on their smartphone or tablet for search, you don’t want to neglect this portion of the market. Leads from mobile devices are especially important for local businesses. If you rely on calls for lead generation, you obviously want to make sure your website is not only mobile-friendly, but that your phone number is easily visible and clickable on a mobile device.
Mobile Search Will Surpass Desktop Soon
Mobile searches are expected to surpass desktop searches in the near future, possibly as soon as 2015. If you are considering making your website mobile-friendly, the time is now.