Last seen in 2012, Google has once again begun to test mobile icons alongside sites that are mobile friendly in SERPS – both those that tell users that a site is mobile-optimised and those that warn against sites that aren’t. Search Engine Watch reported instances of this happening earlier in October and we spotted it again from our mobiles yesterday (22 October – sample shown is from one of our customers’ responsive law firm websites).
As mobile search continues to increase (over 24 million people in the UK use a smartphone or tablet PC to access the Internet), these handy icons tell those searching on the go which sites are responsive to mobile devices and which aren’t. If a user visits your site from a mobile device and are left frustrated by the experience they will leave and go to another website, most probably one of your competitors. Nobody likes having to pinch and grab! It appears that mobile searchers will soon be able to avoid non-responsive websites and go straight to sites whose owners have moved with the times and focus on how their target audience likes to view content online.
If your site isn’t currently responsive, it should be. Smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous, always-on, always connected to the internet and are increasingly consulted first when it comes to solving a problem or making a purchasing decision.
Your clients are searching online to try to find you. If your site is not optimised for mobile devices, there is a chance of losing potential clients. Ensuring your site is responsive will help to keep prospective clients converting regardless of the type of device they are using.
As well as user experience, there are other compelling reasons for making sure your law firm’s website is responsive. For example, a responsive site will adapt to future devices (anybody else excited about the iWatch or Google Glass?). There is also an SEO benefit to be had from ensuring your site is designed responsively (as opposed to having a separate mobile site implemented on a separate domain.
If you are not currently responsive we can help. For further on responsive web design, click here or call Chris on 07969 336 526.
