In 2017, it will no longer be enough to optimize your website for desktop users. In fact, a Pew Research survey found that 95% of U.S. adults owned a cell phone and 77% owned a smartphone in November of 2016. There are obviously many people using devices other than desktop computers to search the web, and that number will only increase. Mobile SEO will be extremely important in 2017 as more people search the internet for mobile devices, and here are two reasons why.
Google’s Algorithm Encourages Mobile-Friendly Websites
Google announced that it would consider how mobile-friendly a website is when it is ranked in starting in 2015. The search engine giant warned that the new mobile-friendly focus would greatly affect search results. The changes took place on April 21, 2015. Then, in May of 2016, Google updated its mobile-friendly algorithm once more. When even Google is making changes based on mobile internet usage, it is clear that websites need to focus on mobile SEO. SEO companies such as Over The Top SEO have taken note of this by placing a special focus on how websites appear on mobile devices.
On the flip side, websites that ignore mobile-friendliness entirely could face dire consequences in the form of lowered Google rankings. One of the best ways to get a website noticed is through SEO, so a lowered search engine ranking is never a good thing. Google is making mobile users important when it ranks websites, so do your website a favor and make mobile SEO a part of your website’s SEO strategy.
People are Searching On-the-Go
People may be busier than ever, but they are still staying connected to the internet via their mobile devices. When someone who is on-the-go needs something, they pull out their smartphone and search. Whether someone who is hungry is looking for a restaurant or someone who needs a home repair is looking for a roofing company, mobile SEO will ensure that these mobile users can find your website.
This brings up another reason mobile SEO is so important in 2017. The keyword phrases mobile users type into their Google search bar are different than the keyword phrases desktop users search for. Mobile SEO focuses on what mobile users are searching for while they are out and about. For instance, someone who is traveling may be searching for hotels within ten miles of a certain town, while someone who is sitting at their computer at home might be searching for cheap hotels in Florida.
The Bottom Line
Mobile SEO is important, and your website needs to have a mobile SEO strategy. It is so important that Google changed its algorithm to cater to mobile users. As the Pew Research survey shows, nearly 100% of U.S. adults have a mobile device of some sort. To forego mobile SEO would be to ignore a huge audience of people who would otherwise find your business while out and about. Don’t make the mistake of not having a mobile SEO strategy for your website.
