A Google tool to check if a website is optimized for mobile usability.
Why the Mobile-Friendly Test Matters
The Mobile-Friendly Test is an essential tool for any business that wants to succeed in modern SEO. Google’s algorithms now use mobile-first indexing, which means that they primarily use the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking. A website that fails the Mobile-Friendly Test is at a significant disadvantage. The test matters because it provides a clear, unambiguous signal of your website’s mobile usability. By using the test to identify and fix mobile usability issues, you can:
- Improve Rankings: A mobile-friendly website is more likely to rank higher in search results.
- Enhance User Experience: You can provide a seamless experience for users, which can lead to a lower bounce rate and a higher click-through rate.
- Stay Ahead of the Competition: A mobile-friendly website is a clear signal that your website is a high-quality resource.
It’s a foundational part of your technical SEO and a crucial element for your Core Web Vitals.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of the Mobile-Friendly Test is a technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can ensure their site is mobile-friendly by using a responsive theme and a variety of plugins. A good theme will automatically adjust to the size of a user’s screen. You can also use a plugin that can help you optimize your images, minify your CSS and JavaScript, and use a content delivery network (CDN).
Shopify
On Shopify, the Mobile-Friendly Test is essential for a fast and seamless user experience. You can ensure your site is mobile-friendly by optimizing your product images, using a CDN, and by using a theme that is optimized for performance.
Wix
Wix offers an intuitive platform that empowers users to effortlessly create mobile-friendly websites using its built-in tools. This user-centric design philosophy promotes a clean and efficient layout, enhancing mobile usability and ensuring that visitors have a positive experience on any device. By leveraging Wix’s features, businesses can effectively engage their audience and improve their online presence.
Webflow
Webflow provides granular control over your website’s design and code, making it ideal for a sophisticated mobile usability strategy. It allows you to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your mobile usability performance and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use the Mobile-Friendly Test will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites rely heavily on a mobile-friendly design. A slow-loading product image can lead to a high bounce rate and a loss of sales. Optimizing your images is crucial for a low LCP.
Local Businesses
Local businesses need their key pages, like their homepage and contact page, to be mobile-friendly. A slow-loading page can lead to a high bounce rate and a loss of customers.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies often use a lot of images or videos in their marketing materials. Optimizing these images and videos is crucial for a low LCP, which can improve their conversion rate.
Blogs
Blogs are often heavy with images and videos. Optimizing these images and videos is crucial for a low LCP, which can lead to a lower bounce rate and a higher time on site.
Do’s and Don’ts of the Mobile-Friendly Test
Do’s
- Do use a responsive design. A responsive design will automatically adjust to the size of a user’s screen.
- Do use a fast-loading website. A fast-loading website is a major part of a good user experience.
- Do use the test regularly. You should use the test regularly to ensure your website is always mobile-friendly.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a full-screen interstitial on mobile. This is a major source of user frustration and can lead to a Google penalty.
- Don’t use a lot of pop-ups on mobile. Pop-ups can be a major source of user frustration.
- Don’t use a website that is not mobile-friendly. A website that is not mobile-friendly is a direct signal that a website is a low-quality resource.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to use a responsive design: This is the most common mistake. It can lead to a lower ranking and a loss of organic traffic.
- Ignoring the importance of a fast-loading website: A slow-loading website is a major source of user frustration.
- Failing to check for mobile usability issues: This is a basic but critical step. You cannot improve what you do not measure.
FAQs
Is a mobile-friendly website a ranking factor?
Yes, a mobile-friendly website is a direct ranking factor. A website that is not mobile-friendly is at a significant disadvantage in search results.
What is a good mobile-friendly score?
A good mobile-friendly score is a “pass” on Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. This means that a website is easy to read, navigate, and interact with on a mobile device.
How is the Mobile-Friendly Test different from PageSpeed Insights?
The Mobile-Friendly Test checks a website’s mobile usability. PageSpeed Insights checks a website’s mobile page speed. A website can pass the Mobile-Friendly Test but fail the PageSpeed Insights test.
What is “mobile-first indexing”?
Mobile-first indexing is a process by which Google primarily uses the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking. It is a major reason why the Mobile-Friendly Test is so important today.
Can a website with a low domain authority still rank?
Yes, a website with a low domain authority can still rank. The key is to create high-quality, in-depth content that is relevant to a user’s search intent.
