If you do nothing else for your website, the one thing you must do is test it for mobile readiness. A mobile-ready/mobile-friendly website is one that loads and displays properly on mobile devices such as iPhones, smartphones, and tablets. Before getting to the explanation of how to test a website for mobile readiness, let’s first review the whole concept of mobile readiness.
Why does my website need to be mobile ready?
Digital businesses and marketers understand the importance of ensuring their online content is mobile ready. They understand customers and potential customers say ease of use and functionality is a top priority for them, regardless of the type of device they are using. They also understand the need for users to be able to visit a site on their mobile device and efficiently complete what would be common tasks for their particular business, such as locate the company’s contact information, find driving directions to their nearest location, or submit an online order or inquiry.
How do I make my website mobile friendly?
The best way to make sure your website content responds and adjusts to display properly on all kinds of devices is to use responsive web design. With responsive web design, digital marketers know their content is optimized across any size or type of screen, which improves the user experience overall. And, there is no need to create multiple websites or use different URLs or coding to make this happen.
Testing My Website for Mobile Readiness
This is the easy part. Google makes readily available an easy tool that lets any owner of a website URL test that URL to see how effectively it works across both mobile and desktop devices. You do not need a technical specialist to check the mobile readiness of your website. Simply go to this page: https://testmysite.thinkwithgoogle.com/, type in your site’s URL, and click on Test Now. Within seconds, Google returns scores on the following three aspects of your website’s effectiveness:
- Mobile Friendliness
- Mobile Speed
- Desktop Speed
Scores are based on a top ranking of 100/100. Anything less, and Google explains their findings by labeling the results as Good, Fair, etc. Then, for each of the above three measurements, Google lists the applicable items to check, and provides their recommendation for each. Many are technical in nature, as they involve scripting and coding, which your web designer can help with, but others include sizing “tap targets” appropriately, using legible font sizes, and optimizing images. Each item receives its own individual score of Passed (green), Should Fix (red), and Consider Fixing (yellow). Google will even send a detailed report along with tips for improving your online presence in general.
People are on the go. They want answers and information quickly. If they don’t receive a prompt or effective response from one company’s website on their mobile device, they will move on to the next business that can deliver and meet expectations. Google tells you just how effective your mobile response is. It’s up to you to make sure it’s as effective as it can be.
