Google is making some big changes to its search algorithm this week that could drastically affect your website’s traffic if you’re not prepared.
On 21 April Google is expanding its use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. The algorithm will start favoring websites that are mobile friendly, ranking them higher in the search results, and demoting websites that are not optimized for mobile devices.
As Google explained in their February announcement: “Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results.”
This change only affects the search results on mobile devices – for now. However with more than 50% of online traffic coming from mobile devices if your website or blog isn’t mobile friendly this algorithm update could cause you to loose a heap of traffic, depending of course on your audience and how they visit your website.
If your WordPress website is using a theme with a mobile responsive design you should be fine. However to check if your website is mobile friendly you can use Google’s Mobile Friendly Test.
If your WordPress website isn’t mobile friendly you need to act quickly to avoid being penalized by this so called “Mobilegeddon” algorithm update. You can check Google’s guide to making a mobile friendly site, however the easiest way to make your WordPress website mobile friendly is switching to a theme with a responsive design.
There are heaps of fantastic free and premium responsive WordPress themes available for just about every niche and type of website. A fully responsive WordPress theme will ensure your site is ready for the big Google mobile-friendly algorithm update.
Some commercial WordPress theme shops are even offering special discounts on their responsive WordPress themes to help you be mobile ready:
- WPZOOM: Save 40% on all mobile-friendly themes using coupon code MOBILE at the checkout. Ends April 25.
- Gabfire Themes: 40% off all responsive WordPress themes with coupon code RESPONSIVE. The offer runs until April 27.
We also have comprehensive collections on PremiumWP listing all the best mobile responsive premium WordPress themes which will help you find a suitable responsive theme and ensure your website is mobile friendly.
Make sure your website is mobile ready by April 21 to avoid Mobilegeddon.