We’ve often said that there’s no set-it-and-forget-it in SEO. It’s a continuously evolving set of standards that can leave you behind if you take your attention off of it. Google’s long anticipated shift to “mobile first” – that is the indexing priority of mobile content over desktop content – is well under way. The reason for this is that the majority of Google’s searches are mobile, but its index previously looked to the desktop for content. If only a desktop site is available, then that is the one that will be indexed and ranked. The new standard is simply looking for mobile first, not mobile only.
How to Get Found
One of the first things that Google is looking for is responsive design. In other words; format first. Yes, content, keywords, and tags still matter a lot – so don’t be tempted into doing things that will earn you a visit from the Mighty Google Banhammer. Now, you may already have a responsive deign in place, so don’t panic. A responsive site is one where the site works the same no matter what device is being used for access – a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. If you have not upgraded your site, it’s long past time to do so. There’s a long list of differences between a site that looks retro and a site that looks old – among them are security issues that could make clients wary of using your site even if you have upgraded the back end.
How to Stay Found
You know all those Facebook pages that haven’t been updated since 2014? How many hits do you think they get, and how many people bounce right back to their search results when they see no entries for three years? They key to building web presence is consistency and perseverance, not flashy design and secret webmaster tricks. The most important ingredient in building your rankings is you. Update your site, upgrade when warranted, interact with your potential clients, and learn to wave your own banner and toot your own horn. There is no magic wand that anyone can wave that takes the place of your own drive and belief that your business can succeed. There’s no set-it-and-forget it in any part of business, especially when it comes to the internet.
Herding Pixels
We understand that not every business can afford its own digital marketing department and in-house design. However, keeping your site updated and index friendly is a vital part of keeping and improving your search engine rank over time. Google, for now, is the 800 pound gorilla of search engines. What does an 800 pound gorilla index? The answer is whatever it wants to. At 4 Step Studios, we can help you tame the gorilla with White Hat SEO to improve your site’s searchability and improve your rankings. We can build a responsive website that is easy for all your clients to access, no matter what device they use. Give us a call and let’s get to work.
4 Step Studio is an online marketing agency that specializes in website design and redesign, SEO, social media and more. Our team of experts focuses on helping small business get found online, while educating them on what will make them successful in the digital world. To learn more about what we can do for you, visit our website at www.4StepStudio.com
Get the Latest Online Marketing Trends in Web Design, Social Media, Blogging, and More. 
[…] of picking up a paper telephone directory. The shift is due to the way people communicate – with cellphone ownership at 95 percent in the US market, and smartphone use at 77 percent, even the …. In fact, use of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are one of the most popular ways to […]