"Mobile First" is Google's clear strategy, which began with initial measures in 2015 and is now being implemented without compromise. In the future, mobile-friendly websites will be Google's sole benchmark for search queries. (Photo: © georgejmclittle/123RF.com)
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Digital Crafts - Theme specials
February 2021
Industry 4.0: Google is setting clear priorities for the future. By the end of March 2021, the search engine intends to significantly devalue all websites in its search index that are not optimized for display on mobile devices.
This would mean many websites of craft businesses only difficult to find via Google search – especially companies with older websites. Denn "Mobile First" is the clear strategy of Google, which began with initial measures in 2015 and is now uncompromisingly perfect In the future, mobile-friendly websites for Google the only evaluation criterion for search queries.
In concrete terms, this means that from April 2021 at the latest, only websites that are optimized for mobile devices will be considered in search engine rankings.special mobile requirements not met are, the page slides into the Google results lists automatically very far backThe same applies to searching for videos, images, or other content.
The reason for Google’s consistent strategy is the changed search behavior of users: According to Statcounter.com In December 2020, more than 55,7 percent of all website requests from smartphonesComputers and notebooks accounted for just under 41,5 percent of all visits. However, not all websites are prepared for this: experts estimate that Currently around 30 percent of all websites are not optimized for mobile devices .
For Internet presences of craft businesses There should even be 40 to 50 percent This would make it almost impossible to find half of all businesses via Google searches. Possible consequences for tradespeople: Fewer website visitors, noticeable loss of sales and fewer applicants when advertising job vacancies.
If companies also good rankings in the future in the Google search results, there is no way around it now. to optimize your own website for mobile devicesA first check is quite simple: If texts are too small when accessed on a smartphone and you have to zoom in to read them, the site is not designed for mobile devices.
Google therefore recommends a "responsive design", which the Automatically adjusts display size. Individual page elements are rearranged for the best possible overview, Images are displayed in ideal resolution and Buttons change for touchscreen operation. Avoid Poor quality photos or content that cannot be displayed on mobile devices, such as Movies in Flash format.
If you do not want to completely convert your website to a responsive design, you can also parallel to the existing website an additional mobile version However, it should be noted that both versions as similar in content as possible This is because if companies provide less or different content on the mobile version, this can lead to a decline in traffic, as the search engine only uses the mobile version for indexing.
At the same time, Google points out that even iVersions with identical content through different layouts or structuresbe interpreted differently by the search engine Therefore, a responsive design for your own website the better solution in the long term.
When assessing whether it is worthwhile to adapt your website to the new Google algorithm, the own marketing strategy in the foreground Anyone who relies heavily on Google's search engine to acquire customers and specialists should promptly check whether their own websites meet all mobile requirements.
If Craftsmen, on the other hand, mainly recommend through word of mouth prefer to rely on online or traditional ads or market themselves primarily via social networks, there is a good findability via Google maybe not at the top of the to-do list. Since the Search habits However, customers and specialists are increasingly moving towards Developing online media, in many cases it is a future-proof strategy if your own company continues to be easy to find on Google.
With a free online test Crafts businesses can check how mobile-friendly their website is: google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly After entering the Internet address, Google starts a quick analysis. Next to one List of potential problems There are also tips for optimizing the display on mobile devices. A detailed guide for website operators is also available at Google Developers ready.
If you cannot optimize your website yourself, you should Outsource measures to an external service providerIt's worth getting several quotes in advance, as costs vary considerably.
The Price for mobile optimization from websites depends on many factors: How large is the page? What individual features are required? And how many individual elements need to be optimized – from page layouts to images and videos? When comparing prices, please note: Small business owners and freelancers are often cheaper than agencies.
For smaller service providers, the costs for producing a separate mobile website start with a few pages at about 350 eurosFor special requests, special individual services or many subpages, four-digit prices are not uncommon. A website completely new in a responsive design To develop costs on average about 30 to 40 percent more than a static website.
Who optimizes websites for search engines? Search engine optimization service providers: iBusiness.de
List of the "100 most important German-speaking SEO service providers 2020": ibusiness.de/seo-liste;seo-united.de
Directory of SEO agencies throughout Germany: seo-united.de/seo-agenturen
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