It´s going to be all change in 2014, according to a recent article I came across this morning on Search Engine Watch. The New Year is predicted to see mobile Internet usage overtake desktop Internet use for the first time, highlighting the importance of optimising for mobile. In fact, mobile device sales have already outpaced sales of desktops, and the gap is likely to widen over the next 12 months. Offering mobile-friendly websites is no longer optional but a requirement for any professional brand.
But the main question that bothers brands is whether to invest in a separate mobile website or to develop a single site using responsive design. What they should take into account is how big a factor SEO is for their business. If SEO plays a role, then experts recommend responsive design, citing three main reasons for doing so:
Firstly, responsive design is recommended by Google itself and – as we all know – when Google speaks, SEO marketers should listen. In fact, the most influential search engine calls responsive design the “industry best practice”, Search Engine Watch reported. The explanation for this is the single URL and the same HTML is used regardless of device, making it easier for Google to crawl and index content.
This leads us to the second reason for choosing responsive design. It allows for a single website to provide an excellent user experience both on mobile and on desktop. Not only do consumers use different devices to access a website, but they often switch between devices. Thanks to responsive design, the page will be displayed in the same way on all devices, creating a smooth and seamless experience.
The last reason for preferring responsive design is that it´s easier for webmasters to manage and support, saving time, work and investment.
By Ben Hollom