Here are just a few ways you can prepare.

Create a Responsive Website

Migrating your existing content into a fully responsive website will help when the mobile-first initiative goes live. Google has maintained a desktop-first index and has promised to continue crawling desktop websites after the change, but you’re still doing yourself a favor if you update before launch.

Google will update any responsive websites with mobile annotation updates to speed up the indexing process, which gives you an advantage. Fortunately, you still have time, as the initiative isn’t scheduled to roll out until 2018 or later.

Add Content to Your Mobile Site

Most businesses publish most of their content on desktop sites. The bad news is, if your mobile site has less content than the desktop version, Google may only see the lackluster mobile version, which can reduce your search rankings. While switching to a responsive website is ideal, you should be adding plenty of content to your mobile site in the meantime.

Focus on Expandable Content

Google hasn’t weighed expandable content as heavily on desktop websites, and by “expandable content” we mean information hidden in tabs and other expandable boxes. With the mobile-first indexing, however, this hidden content is given full consideration by Google because it makes more sense on mobile.

Start planning your long-term SEO strategy now with Exults. Contact us today to partner with an experienced full-service agency that anticipates these changes and can help you prepare.

The post Get on Board with Google’s Mobile First Initiative appeared first on Exults Digital Marketing Agency.

Mobile devices are the new convenience standard- surpassing tablets and laptops.  They’re easy to carry, full featured, and always connected. As the saying goes, “due to overwhelming demand…” your search results will now be even more refined on a mobile device.

Starting April 21^st websites that are mobile friendly will be clearly labeled if you are browsing from a mobile device. Additionally, mobile- friendliness will be a ranking signal thus giving websites that mobile compatible ranking priority to mobile visitors.

If you’re concerned about potential limitations on your site, you can use Google’s Mobile Friendly Test resource. The tool will outline any inconsistencies or load issues along with showing you what your site looks like on a standard mobile browser.

Check out how our own site did:

To address this new shift, we recommend either developing a dedicated mobile site, or converting your existing site to a responsive format. There are advantages to both, and ultimately the most effective method will depend on your needs.

A dedicated mobile site is best for local businesses that offer several products or services, or are looking to drive foot traffic. A mobile site should be a condensed version of your main site and have the pertinent information potential customers would need quickly. Examples of this could include contact details, address, pricing information, or product offerings.

Responsive design involves re-coding your existing website to actively respond and adjust to screens of all different sizes. This format works for businesses that provide products or services that require more information or involve a more in depth buying cycle. In this case, even if on a mobile device, users will be looking for information to support their decision.

The post Mobile Compatibility is Now More Important than Ever appeared first on Exults Digital Marketing Agency.