On April 21, Google will update its algorithm. Non-mobile-ready sites will be penalized; some will be removed entirely from Google’s mobile search index.
To make sure your site stays put or advances on April 21st:
- Avoid using Flash and other uncommon-to-mobile-devices software
- Use text that your visitors can read without zooming
- Size your content so visitors don’t have to scroll left-to-right to read what’s there
- Carefully separate any links that you include on your site so each one can be selected without accidentally tapping an adjacent one
In a nutshell, if a smartphone user can’t easily read and tap links on your website, Google will penalize it.
So if you’ve been enjoying lofty, enviable page rankings, you may well find your site plummeting significantly and your competitors sitting in the catbird seat. Make sure your site is responsive (that it automatically re-sizes itself to present on any mobile device without the user having to scroll back and forth to read it, see complete images, or tap a link).
Whoever adapts first to the new mobile-conscious algorithm change is most likely to smile on April 21st and thereafter.
Recommendation: I recommend Lisa Twining Taylor (DancingGoatWebDesign.com) if you need a responsive website built.
And just a word to the wise: In a vast majority of cases, it will cost a lot less to have a new, responsive website built than it will be to try to adapt a non-responsive site. You should be able to keep a lot of jingle in your jeans as a result of this tip.
