Being Responsive Will Stop Your Website Losing Traffic
It used to be that the only way that websites were accessed was from a desktop computer. Then, everything started shifting towards laptops because they were portable. Now, just about everyone has a mobile phone with web surfing capabilities.
So why is your website losing traffic? Google now includes a website’s ‘mobile-friendliness’ in its search algorithm. Websites that are not mobile friendly (also known as being responsive), will be ignored by Google. And, with more than half of all online business searches beginning on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, if your website isn’t responsive, it will be one of the main reasons for decrease in direct traffic.
FREE Checklist: Stop Your Website Losing Traffic
What Is Responsive Design?
Have you ever accessed a website via your smartphone and had to learn acrobatics just to see the page? Maybe you turned it sideways to see the text in one screen or kept resizing with your fingers to see all the detail. You might even have had to scroll continuously from left to right just or read one sentence. It’s frustrating to be sure.
What responsive design does is code each webpage so that it automatically adjusts to the medium you are using to view it. Whether a tablet, large smartphone, small smartphone, laptop or a stationary desktop computer, each person will see the page in an optimized fashion for their device.
Updating your website with responsive design tools right now will have several positive effects.
1. Higher Conversion Rates
People are not stationary and neither are their devices. Someone who checks out a product on your website to compare a price with something they see in a store, wants an immediate response. A mobile-friendly site allows them to click a few buttons and order the lower-cost product you offer instead of paying more in the store.
2. Improved User ExperienceÂ
Responsive design says to a user that you are catering to their needs. For someone who uses their mobile device 90% of the time, this is huge. They can make dinner reservations, set up a service appointment, book a hotel and buy a product, all from their phone using websites that have implemented responsive design. When users feel valued and have a great experience, they come back.
3. Less Work For YouÂ
Using responsive design at the outset allows you to focus on the most important aspects of your website and deliver that to viewers on a smaller platform. From there, it is easier to add more content for larger devices.
4. Better Search Engine RankingsÂ
Google likes websites with responsive designed web pages. It’s still the same website but optimized for viewing with different devices. This is easier for you and the search bots than utilizing a separate mobile site. Click here to see if your website is ‘mobile friendly’.
5. Flexibility
Your website can adjust to a number of devices for viewing. You can add different content to be seen on each device as added value. The content will expand to fill the space given on each device, with the main content and design remaining constant across all devices for a seamless experience.
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Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website to increase visibility on popular search engines such as Google and Bing. In this free SEO Certification Course from the HubSpot Academy, you’ll learn all things SEO, including website optimization, link building, keyword research, and much more.