Google’s Mobile First Becomes Your Top Priority

Nancy McCord
“Just Nancy” – My Point of View for Today.

Just this last week Google announced that it’s mobile search index would become its primary index and that it would be spinning off its tablet and desktop index into a separate index. Additionally Google stated that it would not be updating the desktop and tablet index with the same frequency as that of the mobile index.

For some, this statement did not register as important, but for those in my industry, this was very important news.

How so?

Business owners must take heed when Google makes statements like this. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you have an old website that looks like your desktop on the small screen of mobile devices, and you are not using a workaround like DudaMobile, you may be in trouble. What kind of trouble? You may drop placement organically, pages you add may not be indexed frequently, and Google may even not show your website in the mobile index. With mobile searches driving over 60% of the traffic on Google.com that’s a big drop for you.

Google is focused on speed for mobile, are you?

The next big hurdle if your site is mobile friendly is to try to speed up the delivery of your pages. Google is boosting the Accelerated Mobile Page (AMP) initiatives to deliver AMP’ed up content to mobile devices nearly instantaneously. Be prepared for keeping an eye on this. Google has mentioned that it likes AMP pages and has tested even saying it may provide better placement for pages and sites that are AMP’ed.

For now the key is to assure that your site can be considered by Google as mobile-friendly and mobile-fast.

We have options when it comes to mobile, from a DudaMobile script “Bandaid” to a new mobile responsive site or WordPress site with mobile responsive theme. Just ask us for help!

Domain Masking or 301 Redirect?

Hit the mark with a strategy for visibility.
Hit the mark with a strategy for visibility.

It’s important to know as a website owner for SEO purposes what is happening with your site and server set up.  Although you may want to trust your SEO consultant, there are a few things that you need to know just to keep them in check.

Domain Masking

If you have multiple website properties, I find it better to point domains versus setting up domain masking.  I think it is important to have a parent domain clearly defined by having your website files reside there.  Although others may love domain masking, I think it confuses visitors. I recommend keeping your brand clear to search engines and visitors.

301 Redirects

For some larger sites and those that are managed properties, multiple domains may be controlled with A Name Records and use 301 redirects. Before your SEO consultants starts recommending tactics, make sure that they are clear on how your site is set up. If you don’t know, ask them to call your tech support provider or review your web hosting control panel.

Although you as a business owner don’t want to or need to be bogged down in details. It is important to have at least a working knowledge of what will be done to your site in an effort to improve placement.

Looking for a savvy consultant to help position your site and boost online visibility? I invite you to visit our website to learn more about our services.