Since our last Atlanta SEO webinar, Google’s mobile-friendly update came and went. That update has significantly changed the SEO landscape. If you want to stay on top of your SEO and your rankings, it’s going to require some shifted effort to optimize for the mobile space. So what has happened since that update took place?
According to data provided by Google, there has been a 4.7 percent increase in mobile-friendly sites in both the months of March and April. At AIS Media our results have been comparative to Google’s numbers. Since offering our complimentary Website Performance Analysis we have generated over 50 reports. These outcomes prove that enough people were scared of potential traffic loss to make their sites mobile-friendly.
In our post-mobile-friendly update version of “The Shift for Driving Search Marketing Success,” we discussed what has happened since “Mobilegeddon” and the still lingering impact of Google’s new algorithm.
SEO Marketing Goals Have Evolved
Due to search engines assessing websites by its user on-site engagement, it is very important to optimize the user experience. Our audiences own multiple devices and are accustomed to choosing which is most functional at that moment. Slow websites frustrate users, hinder the customer experience, hurt your reputation, increase bounce rates and plummet conversion rates. Just a 1 second increase in page load time is proven to result in a 10 percent decline in conversions.
97 percent of U.S. internet users now search online before they buy.
In 2015 the shift is from creative-driven to data-driven marketing. Analyze, test, and measure for:
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
- Learnability
- Memorability
- Error prevention/handling
- User satisfaction
In addition to analytics, use website heat maps to illustrate how your audience is engaging with your content.
Proven Difference Between Smartphone and Desktop Rankings
This impact started well before the mobile-friendly update. According to SEO Clarity mobile search results were 67 percent different than desktop results prior to April 21, 2015 and have jumped as high as 73.1 percent following the mobile friendly update. Search engines have optimized the search results for desktops and smartphones, and the outcome is that they aren’t the same as what you’d see on a desktop or laptop.
Businesses Have Lost Search Traffic
If you haven’t noticed a loss in rankings it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. How can this be? Google released a statement on their blog stating that the rollout will be gradual and that webmasters might not notice a difference at first. At AIS Media, we suggest getting ahead of the curve. Request your complimentary and customized Website Performance Analysis from our Atlanta SEO company today.
3 Main Takeaway’s from “The Shift for Driving Search Marketing Success” webinar:
- Search marketing has evolved. Focus is on conversions, not just search rankings and traffic.
- “Mobile-friendly” design impacts search rankings. Make user experience a priority
- Create content with mobile audiences in mind
If you need an digital marketing partner to help manage your online presence in the new age of mobile-driven search, contact us today by filling out our contact form, or giving us a call at 404.751.1043.
