Today, everybody is using their mobile phone for nearly everything like playing videos, reading news, online purchasing, web browsing & even looking for local services. To be more precise, the smartphone is the first point of entry to the web for many users. This change in web surfing trend has changed the process of how Google determines which sites are to be ranked higher on search engine rankings.

That is where mobile-first indexing comes in. It’s Google saying, “We care more about how your site works on mobile and less about how your site works on desktop.” Rather than ranking & indexing the desktop version of a website, Google is now primarily counting on the mobile version. With that change, if your mobile site is slow, broken up or difficult to use, it will directly affect your search rankings even for desktop users.

Mobile-first indexing is something you should be aware of if you own a small business, blog or online shop. With that being said, let’s have a step-by-step guide so that you understand why it’s important & how to get your site ready for it.

What is Mobile-First Indexing?

Mobile-first indexing is a process wherein Google indexes & ranks your website mostly based on the mobile version of your website. Previously, the desktop version was thought to be the primary version of a website. However, now the mobile version takes priority.

This does not mean that desktop websites are now neglected but it simply says that Google starts with what the mobile site has in its index. If your mobile site contains less content, fewer broken images or poorer SEO than your desktop website, then you may be losing precious search visibility.

Why Did Google Make This Change?

The reason is easy: more users surf on mobile than they do on desktop. Google has reported that mobile traffic has been surpassing desktop traffic for years. Thus it only makes sense to prioritize what most users see first.

Through mobile-first indexing, Google sees that its search results will accurately depict the most users’ experience. If your mobile page is quick, easy to read & contains all the necessary content, users are more likely to stick around & interact. This creates a higher quality search experience overall & that’s Google’s long-term objective.

How Does Mobile-First Indexing Impact Your Site?

If your mobile & desktop websites are the same in content, layout & functionality, chances are you won’t notice a drastic difference. But most websites still treat mobile as a “lighter” version of their desktop site excluding important features or content.

For example, if your mobile site isn’t showing the same product descriptions, images or blog posts as your desktop site, Google might not even index that missing information. That can lower your rankings & reduce your chances of appearing in search results.

Also, mobile page speed plays a very important role. If your website takes too long to load on mobile then users will leave & Google can demote your site for a poor user experience.

How to Optimize for Mobile-First Indexing

  • Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

The most crucial step is making sure that your website functions & appears great on mobile. So use a responsive design such that your site adapts to various screen sizes automatically. Do not have really small text, unusable buttons or horizontal scrolling.

  • Keep the Content Same on Mobile & Desktop

Don’t cut out useful content from your mobile site just to simplify it. Google wants both versions to have the same useful text, images & videos.

  • Improve Mobile Loading Speed

Quick loading is important for mobile users. Optimize images, use efficient code & make use of Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to identify areas for optimization.

  • Utilize Mobile-Friendly Navigation

Menus must be tappable & key pages must be reachable without constant scrolling. A messy or disorienting mobile design can anger users & damage rankings.

Why You Should Care?

Not paying attention to mobile-first indexing may result in missing out on search traffic & potential customers. Even if you believe the majority of your traffic is from desktop devices, Google continues to use your mobile version of the site to determine rankings. This means your mobile site may be hindering your SEO performance without your knowledge.

By making your website mobile-friendly, you not only please Google’s algorithm but also give a better experience to your actual users. & happy users are more likely to be loyal customers.

Final Thoughts

The web is mobile-first today & Google’s indexing is indicative of that fact. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you may be lagging behind competitors who are. The bad news is that it’s fairly easy to get your site mobile-first-indexing-ready with the right moves & increase your odds of ranking higher in searches.

For companies that lack the time & technical expertise to implement these Google mobile-first updates, consulting with the professionals can be the smartest option. SAAR is one such company that focuses exclusively on digital marketing & website optimization, making sure your site is fully prepared for Google’s mobile-first strategy. With the guidance of our experts, you can remain ahead of the game & achieve the maximum potential of the online opportunities that exist today.