Why Responsive Web Design is So Important To Modern SERPs
Responsive
web design has become the gold standard for not just Google, but every other
search engine out there from Bingo to Yahoo. So, what’s the reason RWD a.k.a
responsive web design has caught on? In April 2015, Google came out with a
clear directive that responsive website design where a single HTML code was
sent across multiple devices and optimisation was through CSS media queries was
infinitely preferable.
Google
has even recommended that sites serve all devices on the same URL. The date of
this announcement was termed as Mobilegeddon for this reason. It alone
justifies why responsive web design is important to modern SERPs. Consider that smartphone users
now rank among 2 billion in 2016 and growing and you’ll realise why responsive
website design has become a necessity for businesses looking for higher search
engine rankings and wider audience reach.
Websites Optimised For All Users
One
of the reasons RWD is so important for SERPs is that it optimises the site
across screen sizes, browser types and different kinds of smart devices from
smartphones to tablets. Over 60% of all online searches now come from
smartphones. To ensure your business website offers a custom experience to
those who use smart devices is the way forward, in the present digital age.
Additionally, the RWD has a flexible and fluid layout that adjusts as per
screen size and optimises browsing experience. The website will work across
devices and more importantly, reach users the way it was meant to. The term was
coined in 2010 by web designer Ethan Marcotte. RWD offers a way forward,
allowing the designers to account for advancements in technologies and the way
people use devices to surf the web.
Made for Any Device
Another
benefit of a responsive layout when it comes to SERPs, is that users on just
about any device will have the best experience on your site and experience
consistent brand messaging. Website responsiveness is also a good way to refine
content on the site, ensuring that mobile users see only what is critical. Why
does this increase visibility on search engines? This is because with the
Google algorithm update and subsequent developments, RWD has become a
requirement rather than a luxury.
Why RWD Rules
RWD
or responsive website designs increase customer reach and clients on smaller
devices. A consistent experience leads to sales, conversions and effective
prospect management. Analytics, tracking and reporting are all in place.
Staying ahead of the competition is important and with RWD, time and on site
content management costs come down significantly. Additionally, responsive
sites permit Google search algorithms to crawl and index as well as organise
the sites faster and more efficiently.
Considering
that Google alone accounts for 5.7 billion searches every day on the web, this
is not something your business can afford to ignore. Google even has a
responsiveness test to enable site owners to see how to use a page on the
mobile device. Entering a page URL and receiving a score, you can get insights
on why your site is scoring high or low on rankings.
So,
your website needs to look great and work optimally on tablets,desktops,
smartphones and browsers. A responsive web design can help you to get there.
Google determines over 96 percent of mobile traffic and responsive website
design is the way to grab the eyeballs here.