5 Responsive web designing tips for Google’s April 21st update

by Guna Nadar - 3/16/2015 3890 Views

Rank your site higher with mobile friendly design

Web searches have significantly moved from the traditional mediums like desktop computers and laptops to smarter devices like smartphones, tablets and even smart TVs. According to the statistics as of January 2015, 80% of web searches come from smartphones. Today, the end users are accustomed to the process of multi-screening, wherein, web searches don’t come from a single platform. About 40% of internet shoppers browse through at least 3 websites before making a buy. Further, businesses have the advantage of a global market for their products and services through mobile marketing platforms. Today, any business which is popular in the market knows that mobile optimization is the key to have a competitive edge over its competitors.

Google, the search engine giant has long been working on its interfaces to offer an user friendly platform. Guided by the increased use of mobile devices, Google has smartly released updates and interfaces that seek to make web searches more convenient and consistent. The April 21^st update which would be operational soon, requires all websites to turn mobile-friendly. With 4 out of every 5 internet shopper using a mobile device for their transaction, this update will be the key to providing them with timely and relevant results.

Back in November 2014, Google had launched an update where mobile friendly labeling of SERP results was the highlight. Websites that didn’t comply with responsiveness were however never penalized. But with this update, the non-conforming websites can expect to sink to the bottom of search results – losing all the business and opportunities of the growing market and revenue generation.

If your website isn’t responsive yet, it’s high time that you invest in making it into one. The investment is worth every penny. Here’s how you can make your website turn mobile friendly:

Design with Responsiveness in Mind

If your website has been created on WordPress, all you need to do is shift to a mobile friendly theme. It’s quite simple and someone with little technical knowledge can do it easily. However, if you had invested in HTML/CSS designs earlier, it’s time to ask your designer to create a wire frame that integrates mobile responsive interfaces. This will mean creating a simple site layout in HTML with least menu and navigation options. Fancy Flash elements and JavaScript is advised to be kept to the minimum.

Focus on the Breakpoints

Web page resolutions are defined as an assortment of break points but there are some popular sizes that need extra attention.

Lesser than 480px for smaller and older smart phone models
Lesser than 768px for bigger smart phones and low range tablets
Greater than 768px for larger smart screens and desktops
Greater than 1024px for wider screens like smart TVs

For an experienced developer, it only involves a few extra lines of script.

Use Flexible Images

Adaptive resizing and screening can be integrated with your images to be consistent across devices and platforms. Sizing of the images is also crucial if you are aiming to achieve quick loading. Some webmasters also store multiple images for several break points. However this isn’t quite advisable as it would consume a lot of bandwidth.

Compress the Elements and Content

Programs like GZIP have been successfully used by several developers to facilitate easier transmission across several networks. The idea here is to lower the volume of data sent with each page request, making it faster and easier to browse. Removing unnecessary line breaks and white spaces can further enhance the browsing experience.

Eliminate Unnecessary Content

This is the era where the end users prefer compact and simplified data at their disposal. End users are looking for specific information and not a story in your business website. It is always recommended to eliminate all the elements that have no business significance. Further, some traditional web elements and content that are never meant to be used in the mobile context must be removed.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, the bottom line is to create a web interface which is friendly, faster and flexible to run on different platforms irrespective of the device. With the April 21^st update soon approaching, it is wise to invest in a professional web development service which can help your business evolve by migrating to a mobile friendly platform.

Category :

SEO News

Tags :

Responsive Web Design Tips, Mobile Friendly Design

About Guna Nadar

Brief Info about Guna Nadar +

I mostly write technical aspects and not much into creative writing. For the past decade I worked along with top notch SEO & Internet Marketing professionals which naturally lured me into the world of Search Engines. When I am not writing I read from comics to philosophy.Antiques, Fishing, hunting are my passions. Currently I am working on Google Penalty protection and .... more info about the author