Blog Layout

BACK
What Is Mobile First Indexing?
Taylor Tunnison • Feb 24, 2022

The internet is home to more than one billion websites. About 200 million of these are active, which means users visit often and developers update them regularly. Search engines like Google make sifting through this vast number of websites both possible and user-friendly. They do this by “crawling” the sites’ publicly available content with special computer software. Web crawlers catalogue the subject matter of websites page-by-page and add it to a massive reference index. That way, users can search for topics and key terms without needing to know where the data is located. Google recently announced its decision to shift to mobile-first indexing. Here’s a brief overview of what this means for your website.

Mobile-First Indexing

Desktop websites were once the only versions available to users. In the past, Google used this data to build its large index of content. Now, mobile versions of websites are common, whether in the form of responsive, dynamic, or standalone designs. Mobile devices have certain constraints like small screen sizes that often clash with desktop websites. You’ve probably seen this firsthand if you’ve ever visited a website that wasn’t optimized for mobile. Its pages may have loaded slowly, displayed incorrectly, or could've been hard to read without zooming in closely.

Google's changes aim to avoid the issues caused by desktop indexing. For example, some desktop versions of websites contain more information than their mobile counterparts. This may mislead mobile users who expect an exact search result. They might land on a page only to realize it isn't quite what they were told it was. Mobile-first indexing bridges this major gap between device and content. It prioritizes the mobile version of a website when crawling and indexing its data for search engines. That way, mobile users get exactly what they expect from their search results.

Why Mobile-First Indexing Matters

Mobile devices are now more popular than ever. In fact, over 50% of global website traffic comes from them. This trend has been picking up steam over the last decade and shows no signs of slowing. Some emerging digital markets like those in India and Africa even skipped the desktop phase entirely. This may be due to financial and infrastructure constraints, or simple inconvenience. Regardless, Google certainly understands this trend and aims to provide an excellent experience for all its users.

 

It's estimated that over 90% of active users worldwide prefer to access the internet on mobile devices. This may not come as much of a surprise, especially among younger crowds. Also, most online experiences begin with a search engine. These two facts plainly highlight the importance of mobile-first indexing. Given that so many users access the internet via smartphones and search engines, their experience should be a top priority.

Mobile-First Indexing Tips

So, what does this mean for your business? Google now enables mobile-first indexing by default for all new websites. If your current website is desktop only, you shouldn’t have to change anything. However, we recommend shifting to a responsive or dynamic design to make sure it's user-friendly for mobile users, too. Google also suggests some key best practices, and here are a few worth mentioning.


  • Use supported image formats like PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, WebP, and SVG.
  • Use supported video formats like MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, and MPEG.
  • Keep the same headlines from your desktop site on your mobile site.
  • Organize relevant content into tabs, dropdowns, or accordion menus.
  • Include most, if not all, of the same primary content on both versions.
  • Refrain from excessive popups, widgets, elements, and lazy-loaded content on mobile.
  • Set the same headers, captions, page titles, URLs, and meta descriptions on both versions.


This is a good start, but it barely scratches the surface of mobile website optimization. One of the main benefits of hiring a web developer is that they handle these complex details for you. We design all our websites with mobile devices in mind, even if clients aren’t interested in ongoing SEO services. This sets a business up for success both now and in the future. It also guarantees that all website visitors have a great experience, no matter what device or browser they choose to use. If your website needs a tune-up, or you have questions about mobile-first indexing, we hope you’ll reach out today. We’ve helped dozens of small businesses with their online presence, and we can help you, too.

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

By Rachel Hayden 31 Oct, 2024
Let’s face it - we all probably spend a lot more time online than we actually should. Since we spend a lot of time online, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their online presence to engage their audience and increase their conversions. Whether you're driving traffic to your site through paid ads, organic search, or social media, the ultimate goal is to turn those visitors into loyal customers. This process relies on two elements: user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). Let’s get into how you can maximize conversions through seamless UX and smart web development. The Importance of UX in Digital Marketing  User experience (UX) is the foundation upon which every successful website is built. Immediate satisfaction and convenience have become the new norm, so users have little patience for websites that are slow, hard to navigate, or confusing. A seamless UX allows users to explore your site, find the information they need, and take action—whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your sales team. Here’s how a smooth UX affects conversions: 1. Fast Loading Times Even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. A fast-loading website improves user experience and helps with SEO rankings, driving more organic traffic to your site. 2. Intuitive Navigation When visitors come to your website, they should be able to find what they’re looking for with little effort. Thoughtfully designed menus, prominent calls-to-action (CTAs), and logical flow all contribute to a smooth experience. Clear navigation allows users to easily move through your site, increasing the chances that they’ll follow through on your conversion goals. 3. Responsive Design With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential that your website is responsive and optimized for all screen sizes. A mobile-optimized website guarantees that visitors have a smooth experience, regardless of the device they’re using. 4. Clear Calls-to-Action A clear and persuasive CTA stands out and encourages users to take the next step—whether it’s signing up, making a purchase, or contacting your business. The placement, color, and copy of your CTAs should align with the user journey and make it easy for visitors to take action. Smart Web Development to Drive Conversions While great UX is essential, it’s only part of the equation. The technical aspects of web development play a role in ensuring that your website functions efficiently. 1. Optimized Code and Performance The foundation of any high-performing website lies in its code. Clean, well-optimized code allows for fast loading times and a better user experience. Deleting unnecessary scripts, optimizing images, and utilizing modern coding frameworks can help you create a website that performs at its best. 2. SEO Best Practices Effective web development goes hand in hand with search engine optimization (SEO). From the technical setup of your site’s build to ensuring proper use of meta tags and alt text for images, smart web development makes it easier for search engines to index your content and rank your site higher. Higher rankings lead to more organic traffic, giving you a greater chance of converting those visitors into customers. 3. User-Centric Design with Personalization Web development isn’t just about functionality—it’s about crafting a personalized experience for each user. Try incorporating elements like dynamic content, custom recommendations, and personalized user flows to create an experience that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your target audience. Personalized experiences lead to increased engagement, which in turn drives higher conversion rates. 4. Analytics and Conversion Tracking To optimize your conversions, you should track and analyze user behavior on your site. Smart web development involves integrating analytics tools so you can gain valuable insights into how users interact with your site. You can monitor metrics like bounce rate, click-through rate , and conversion paths so you continuously refine your website to maximize its effectiveness. How True North Technologies Helps Maximize Conversions At True North Technologies, we combine seamless UX with smart web development practices to help your business achieve its digital marketing goals. By understanding your target audience and objectives, we create websites that not only look great but also perform at their best. Our goal is to deliver a digital experience that engages visitors and drives results. Contact True North Technologies today and let us help you maximize conversions and boost your digital marketing strategy.
By Rachel Hayden 08 Oct, 2024
Facebook, as one of the largest social media platforms, frequently updates its algorithms and features, impacting how users reach their audiences and measure success. Because of the fast-paced updates, it’s important to stay up to date about platform changes in order to keep an effective online presence. Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics can help you navigate the world of social media successfully. The Shift in Content Prioritization One of the most notable changes has been Facebook's shift in prioritizing content from your friends over public posts from businesses. This adjustment means that even well-crafted posts from business pages may not reach their intended audiences as expected. As a result, many companies are seeing a decline in organic reach, which directly affects engagement metrics like their likes, shares, and comments. The Rise of an AI-Powered Algorithm Facebook's algorithm is now fully AI-powered and more complex than ever before. It looks at many different factors to determine what content is shown to users, like user's engagement history, post relevance, and user behavior. Each piece of content is assigned a "relevance score," which influences its visibility in the News Feed. Content that fits well with user interests and creates meaningful interactions is favored. Clickbait and Spam Reduction Facebook has added measures to reduce the reach of clickbait and spammy posts in its effort to improve user experience. If your content is perceived as misleading or low-quality, it may be docked in the algorithm. Try focusing on producing authentic and valuable content to avoid falling into this category. Understanding the Click-Gap Metric Another big update we’ve seen is the introduction of the " Click-Gap " metric. This metric assesses the popularity of posts on Facebook compared to their performance elsewhere online. If a post is gaining traction solely on Facebook without external validation, its reach might be limited. Promoting content across multiple platforms will help establish credibility and encourage broader engagement. Plus, you might be missing out on a part of your target audience if you’re not utilizing multiple relevant social media platforms. Content Saturation and Paid Advertising The large amount of content shared on Facebook daily creates a competitive environment where individual posts can easily get lost. As organic reach declines, the importance of paid advertising has grown. Facebook’s promotion of paid posts can decrease your organic reach as well. To make sure your content is seen by the right audience, it’d be a good idea to consider investing in targeted ads. Why Engagement Metrics and KPIs Matter Engagement metrics are key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect how well your content resonates with your audience. High engagement rates indicate that your posts are being seen and appreciated, offering you valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Engagement builds community and brand loyalty within your audience and serves as a KPI for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Ways to Navigate Facebook Update Consider using these strategies to navigate the impact of Facebook updates on your metrics: Create Relevant Content: Focus on producing content that encourages meaningful interactions with your audience. Use engaging visuals, informative posts, and storytelling to catch your audience's attention. Use Facebook Stories: Stories are a popular feature that allows for more immediate engagement. Use them to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions to encourage interaction. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages to add a more personable touch to your online presence. Ask questions and create polls for user participation. Invest in Paid Advertising: Consider investing in targeted Facebook Ads or other social ads to boost visibility and reach your desired audience, especially when organic reach is declining. Track Performance Regularly: Use Facebook Insights to monitor your metrics closely. Identify which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Data-driven marketing is always more effective! Let True North Refresh Your Social Strategy Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their social media marketing. Adapting to changes in the algorithm and focusing on quality engagement will help you navigate your social strategies more effectively. At True North Technologies, we’re here to help you refine your social media strategy and maximize your impact on Facebook. Contact us today and see how we can help you reach your goals!
By Rachel Hayden 03 Sep, 2024
In marketing, simply casting a wide net and hoping for the best is like shooting arrows in the dark. Rather than throwing messages out there and hoping it resonates with someone, a data-driven approach allows you to allocate your efforts more effectively. By taking advantage of data collection, you can target your audience with precision, optimize your budget, and refine your strategies based on real performance metrics. Here’s why data-driven marketing is more effective: 1. Precision Targeting and Personalization Data-driven marketing allows for precise audience targeting . Businesses can segment their audience more accurately and tailor their messaging by analyzing consumer behavior, preferences, and demographics. This level of personalization increases the relevance of your marketing efforts, making it more likely that your message will resonate with individual consumers. Personalized marketing boosts engagement and enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 2. Improved ROI and Budget Allocation A key benefit of data-driven marketing is the ability to measure and optimize return on investment (ROI). With access to detailed analytics, you can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and make data-backed decisions to allocate your budget more effectively. By identifying which channels and strategies yield the highest returns, you can focus your resources on the most impactful areas, ensuring a more efficient use of your marketing budget. 3. Enhanced Decision-Making and Strategy Data-driven marketing empowers businesses to make informed decisions based on concrete evidence rather than intuition. Data helps you understand what works and what doesn’t so you’re able refine your strategies. The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, emerging trends, and shifting consumer preferences will ensure your marketing efforts remain relevant and effective. 4. Real-Time Performance Tracking With data-driven marketing, you gain access to real-time performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), offering immediate feedback on your campaigns. This instant visibility into KPIs allows you to identify and address issues swiftly, make necessary adjustments, and capitalize on opportunities as they arise. Real-time tracking of these key metrics helps you maintain the agility needed to stay competitive in a dynamic market environment. 5. Better Customer Insights Data analytics offer valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences , helping you understand your audience on a deeper level. Analyzing patterns in customer interactions, purchase history, and feedback can uncover trends and insights that inform your marketing strategies. These insights help you meet customer needs and create stronger consumer relationships by delivering relevant and timely content. More Than Marketing At True North Technologies, we specialize in data collection and analytics to drive marketing success. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you leverage data analytics to create targeted, personalized, and effective marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. From advanced analytics and performance tracking to strategic optimization, we provide comprehensive solutions to elevate your marketing efforts.
Share by: