Google is about to change the game forever. On 21 April 2015, Google is releasing a new search algorithm that will see mobile-optimised websites reap greater rewards.
In an unusual change in form, Google has given the business world plenty of warning before rolling out these latest changes, urging SMEs to get cracking and optimise their websites for mobile use or suffer a severe drop in traffic.
According to statistics released last year by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), approximately 18% of Australian SMEs have mobile-optimised websites. Considering the large amount of websites that aren’t mobile-optimised, this new algorithm is set to have a large impact on the way business is conducted online.
Where Australian SMEs are at the moment.
The ACMA’s research showed that Australian SMEs are at home using more established digital communications tools such as websites and database software, yet there is far less engagement with newer technologies like mobile applications and cloud-based storage solutions. It’s not that our SMEs are oblivious to the existence of these innovative technologies, in fact it’s quite the opposite.
According to another ACMA report from early 2014, SMEs are using multiple devices to access the internet for business means, with small businesses using an average of two devices and medium-sized operations using three or more.
Some 50% of Australian SMEs are tackling more than seven types of online business activities, yet only 18% have a mobile-optimized website. In the marketing department, 26% of SMEs are already making the most out of social media platforms and an impressive forty seven per cent are using a digital cloud service.
So, those of the search community are speculating that this latest algorithm from Google may cause more impact on SEO practice than the Panda and Penguin updates of the past. What does this all mean for business? Put simply, Australian small and medium-sized businesses are going to have to get their websites mobile-friendly—and quickly—in order to generate the same level of online traffic of the past.
Some of the things you can do to get started.
1/ The first thing to do is to access your analytics account and find out exactly how much traffic to your website is from mobile users.
2/ The next step is to find out whether your website is mobile-optimized or not. Google offers a free tool for determining how mobile-friendly your website is.
Click here to try it.
3/ If your website is mobile-optimised, then you’ll get something that looks like this. If it’s not, you’ve got some work ahead of you.
4/ Organise an SEO specialist to help you to make your website mobile-friendly and after 21 April, you won’t be risking a drop in online traffic.
Google’s latest algorithm is set to change the game once again. Will you be ready when the time comes? Over 52% of Australians are now using multiple devices to access the Internet.
The experts at Infodec Communications can assist your SEO further by providing you with engaging online content to capture consumer attention in a more meaningful way. Contact us today to discuss what we can do to enhance your online presence.