Is your site ready for Mobilegeddon (Google's April 21 Algo update)?

April 21 and Mobilegeddon is just round the corner. Google is at it again, and this update will increase the emphasis on the mobile-friendliness factor in search engine rankings. Today, 15% of the global population owns and uses tablets, and in excess of 25% owns and uses other mobile devices. This means, if you are a business owner who is serious about his business, you will want to ensure that your site gets the visibility it needs.

Ease of Navigation

The simplest way to do this is to ensure that all the pages on your website are mobile-friendly and easy to navigate; this will provide a positive user experience for those who visit your site via smartphones and other mobile devices. Though Google hasn’t really provided too many details on its Mobilegeddon update, it’s clear that websites which don’t have landing pages that meet the new standards, won’t enjoy the kind of visibility that their mobile-friendly counterparts do.

Prepare for the Update

This is what you can do to prepare for the update:

• Ensure your mobile optimized site is working the way it should. Check every page of your site via different mobile devices. If it is not mobile responsive ensure you get it optimized. There can be nothing worse than having a potential customer/client click on your ad, only to find that they are unable to navigate your site via their mobile phone
• It’s important that you test your site using the Google’s Mobile Friendly Test. You will be able to get a complete report on the mobile usability issues your website has. Based on the results, you will be able to make the changes you need to ensure your business gets the visibility it needs.

Google hasn't categorically stated that it is going to change its requirements on April 21, but its best to check, optimize and be well-prepared.

Azhar Siddiqui is a Website consultant and project manager @ www.aguaweb.ca

Azhar contributes regularly to AGUA’s blog, you can follow his writing here: http://www.aguaweb.ca/author/azhar/