Google is going to be ranking sites lower if they’re not mobile friendly. Are you ready?

Here’s a quick test to see whether or not you’re getting Google Mobile Love:

Great if your site passes, but what do you do if not? If you’re using WordPress, you can just install the Jetpack plugin and activate the Mobile Theme module and Google will shower you with kisses (and maybe a few more visitors).

There are several ways to make your site mobile friendly. Some are easy, some are, well, not. Here’s a quick overview:

  1. Plugin: a quick plugin or module and you’re done.
  2. CSS: if you’re lucky, maybe just a few changes to the CSS (styling) or code of your site and you’re good.
  3. New theme: if you’re up for a redesign anyway, most new WordPress themes are mobile responsive. Avada is an excellent choice.
  4. Two sites: a mobile-only site and a desktop only site. Great if you have a ton of dough and enjoy managing two websites, otherwise, overkill.

My quick recommendation? (1) Use Jetpack’s Mobile theme until you can (3) get a new theme.

Here’s a quick (like 2 minutes) transformation of Andreas Schwerte’s site:

Before

Oh no! What to do?

Didn't pass the Google Mobile-Friendly Test? No problem, there's an easy fix.

Didn’t pass the Google Mobile-Friendly Test? No problem, there’s an easy fix.

After

Ah, peace and tranquility restored in your online world.

Congratulations that you passed the Google Mobile-Friendly Test!

Congratulations that you passed the Google Mobile-Friendly Test!

There are many methods to make your website mobile friendly from the easy peasy to the site redesign not-so-quite-very-easy-at-all options. Let’s do the easy one, shall we?

  1. Install WordPress.com’s Jetpack plugin.
  2. Activate the Mobile Theme module.
  3. That’s it!

No, you can’t make your site look as beautifully designed as it is on the desktop. That’s OK, it’s mobile. For the moment, you just want Google happy. When Google is happy, people can find you and then you can work on making a mobile friendly site using a mobile-friendly, responsive WordPress theme.

Use Jetpack's simple mobile module to make Google love you again.

Use Jetpack’s simple mobile module to make Google love you again.