Google's New Mobile-Friendly Ranking Algorithm Will Affect Search Engine Optimization In Toronto

Mobile-Friendly Ranking Algorithm

Search Engine Optimization in Toronto

Google has officially announced that it is going to change the way it ranks mobile-friendly websites in regards to search engine optimization. Toronto ecommerce businesses of all sizes will be affected by this upcoming change. Some businesses may have already been affected somewhat over the past couple of years due to the growing importance of mobile-friendly SEO, but this upcoming change will have a SIGNIFICANT impact on companies and end-users both.

Google’s Webmaster Central Blog

The announcement was recently made on Google’s Webmaster Central Blog and has been spreading like wildfire through social networks. Numerous Tweets have been sent out with links to Google’s Mobile Friendly Test. Many businesses that don’t pass the test are requesting help from SEO companies.

The change will take effect on April 21. If your site is not mobile-friendly, you need to hurry, since it will be demoted in mobile search results. Websites that are mobile-friendly, however, will experience improved rankings.

How the New Ranking Will Work

According to Google, the algorithm is applied in real time, page by page. This means that each page on your site will rank separately. This is good news if you don’t have the time or resources to make every part of your site mobile-friendly. The real time means that the results will take place after you make an update, the very next time your site is crawled.

Keep in mind that the new algorithm will only affect mobile search results, and not traditional search results on a PC. The update will also take affect worldwide on the same day, rather than starting in the US and rolling out.

Making a Site Mobile Friendly

There are many factors that go into a mobile friendly website. Some of the most important ones include:

– Incorporating visual elements. Since a mobile screen is a lot smaller than a computer monitor, you will have to share information visually. This can be done by condensing content and adding optimized videos and info-graphics. Don’t squish too much content together.

– Making a site responsive. Also, take into account that everyone has different sized fingers. For a mobile environment, it’s recommended to make the call to action buttons at least 44×44 pixels. Test your site out to make sure that it’s easy to tap on navigation buttons and other clickable buttons.

– Testing out the shopping experience. If you sell products or offer services on your website, make sure the shopping experience is easy and smooth for mobile users. Users should be able to find the product(s) they’re interested in. The “add to cart” button should be easy to find and click on, and the checkout process should be just as simple on a mobile device as it is on a PC.

– Setting up a mobile menu. There are a number of plugins available for WordPress and other platforms that allow you to create mobile menus. Use one that offers support for multi-level menus and cross-browser compatibility.

Making your site mobile friendly doesn’t just benefit you, it benefits users as well. Most users report that if a site is difficult to access on their smartphones, they will never visit it again. Mobile internet use is changing search engine optimization. Toronto SEO services are available if you need help making the relevant improvements to your site.

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