User experience needs to be at the top of your digital marketing priority list from this moment onward, as Google prepares to once again update its algorithm to ensure its users have the best experience when using the search engine.
Announced in 2020, delayed for a year amidst the global pandemic, then delayed again until sometime in Mid-June, the fact that Google let people know in advance of this algorithm change indicates that it is a BIG one, and therefore shouldn’t be ignored. We’d definitely recommend you start preparations now, despite Google saying that these changes won’t play their full role in search rankings until the end of August.
However, as huge as Google’s magnitude in the SEO world is, preparing your site for these changes really doesn’t have to be complicated, its simply all about ensuring your site delivers the best experience for visitors as possible.
So, what can you do to improve user experience on your site? We take a look at some simple yet effective steps below:
Speed up your site
One for your tech team to get involved in. Google’s handy Page Speed Insights tool will show you its current speed on both mobile and desktop, as well as what needs to be done in order to optimise.
Resolve any errors
Broken links and errors on your site will ultimately impact experience for visitors. Make sure pages that have been removed are redirected and that your servers are working effectively to reduce server errors. Google Search Console is a great way to identify errors.
Make it responsive
Google has been operating on a mobile-first basis for quite some time now. Your site needs to be responsive across all devices and screen sizes, so make sure you regularly check. If buttons are too close together, text overlaps other key areas or if it would be difficult for users to gain the information they are looking for from your mobile site, make sure these are fixed before the May deadline.
Secure your site
We’ve all likely had a warning from Google Chrome when accessing a site that is HTTP, highlighting how much emphasis Google puts on the security of a site. The minimum your site should have is a HTTPS certificate, and there are plenty of additional tools and plugins out there to ensure visitors can browse your site securely.
Carrying out these small changes can make a huge difference to your site. We don’t just need to think about what Google wants to see from your site, but what your prospective customers who are browsing your site want to see also, because at the end of the day they are who will give you those all-important leads and sales.
Looking for support with your SEO efforts? Speak to the team at Entyce today to find out more about how we can help!