As you have (hopefully) heard by now, Google announced a new
algorithm update which, beginning April 21, factors mobile compatibility
heavily into search results. In other words, websites that are optimized for
viewing on smartphones and tablets will now outrank similar non-mobile-friendly
websites, all things being equal.
What’s interesting about this change to Google strategy is
that, unlike past algorithm updates, it was announced and outlined well ahead
of time. Instead of dropping hints, Google’s engineers told us exactly what was
going to happen… and yet, there are countless businesses still trying to figure
out what happened to their search traffic.
What are the short- and long-term consequences of Google’s
new mobile-friendly preference? And more importantly, does it mean your
non-mobile-friendly website is now invisible to the world’s largest search
engine?
Let’s take a look at a few of the things you need to know:
Google Made This Change for a Good Reason
Although some business owners and marketers will undoubtedly
react as if Google is targeting them individually, the fact of the matter is
it’s just good business from the search engine’s point of view. With 64% of adults in the US owning smartphones, mobile web
users are now in the majority; they want search results that show cleanly and
correctly on smartphones and tablets. By updating its search algorithms, Google
is just giving its audience what it wants.
With that in mind, there isn’t any reason to think they’ll
backtrack on their new mobile-compatible stance. In fact, you should probably
prepare for just the opposite…
Expect More Focus on Mobile in the Future
Google states that 94% of people with smart phones use their phones for local search and 77% of local searches happen at home and work, even with a desktop computer available. That means that the standard, non-responsive websites are going to become increasingly rare as time goes on, and web users
are going to take mobile compatibility as a given.
Think about that for a moment, and you come to an
inescapable conclusion…
Websites That Aren’t Mobile-Friendly Are Falling Behind
Take the mobile-friendly test here and then give Kinetik IT a call. We'll make sure your website doesn't fall behind.
In the last few years, managed services agreements have changed the way IT is delivered – for both technology companies and our clients. The result has been a “win-win” for everyone, with companies getting more effective service at a lower price.
But, since some business owners and executives still don’t understand managed services, we’d like to take a moment to give you a quick overview of what you need to know…
The first thing you have to have is an understanding of how managed services actually works in the first place. The basic idea is that, instead of paying for billable hours every time you need technical help, you opt for a managed services plan that covers all of your IT needs for a given period of time. So instead of calling your vendor when you need repairs or encounter errors, you get regular service on an as-needed basis.
Because of that change, two great things can happen:
With Managed Services, You Get Better IT Care
When your IT partner doesn’t have to wait for you to call, they can be more proactive in assessing your hardware and software, dealing with any potential issues before they become problems. That’s a great thing for businesses because it means they can avoid outages and emergency billable hours, and it’s great for us because it means we can anticipate needs rather than trying to make last-minute repairs while under pressure to get a business running again.
Managed Services Lets You Plan Your IT Budget
If there’s one thing business owners and executives hate about IT, it’s the unpredictable costs. When things are running smoothly, you might pay nothing for your technology. But the minute something breaks, your IT budget goes out the window. With a managed services agreement, however, costs are predictable from month to month. That means you can forecast a budget without having to worry about unexpected jolts and emergency IT bills.
Although some business people don’t like the idea of paying for IT care every month when they aren’t used to it, a managed services agreement is virtually guaranteed to save you money over time. Not only is it going to lower your overall IT costs, but it’s also likely to make you and your team more productive than you’ve been in the past because you no longer have to worry about technology problems slowing you down.
To learn more about managed services, and what a customized plan for your business would look like, contact the Kinetik IT team today!