We are fans of responsive design for a lot of reasons, not least because it’s the approach to mobile that Google advises. When you look at the reasons it’s not hard to see why. In essence, you only have one site with the value of any link to any of your pages shared across a single site rather than split across mobile and desktop versions.
Google actually recommend using responsive design as the optimal design methodology where possible. This means that the same url is serving all of the pages whether the user is on a desktop or mobile. It is just the CSS that changes how the content is displayed.
The benefits are:
It is easier for people to link to and share a single url
If a user sends a link from a mobile site to a desktop user, the experience would be very poor as the user would view the mobile page on a desktop.
It is more efficient for Google
Google only needs to index once as all URLs are the same for mobile and desktop. Google just indexes once rather than indexing the mobile site specifically using its mobile Google crawler as well as the desktop site. And if it’s better for Google it’s better for your search engine optimisation.
You are strengthening your Google rank
You are not weakening your “link juice”. Instead, any link to a page adds value to the whole site. If you had a sub-domain for mobile, the links to those pages would not add value to the desktop site as they would only reference the mobile site and vice versa.
It makes commercial sense
It is more cost-effective to develop a responsive design because the design automatically sizes to meet the resolution of the device it is viewed on. You don’t need different versions for different mobile platforms and different resolutions. This makes it more able to cope with changing demands of new phones and reduces development costs.
Why responsive mobile design can be better than mobile apps
Responsive sites are searchable and indexable which apps are not
Responsive design has emerged as a game-changer in the world of web development and user experience. It offers a slew of benefits that make it a compelling choice for businesses compared to mobile apps. One of the most significant advantages is the superior searchability and indexability of responsive websites, which apps simply can’t match. Here’s why:
Searchability and Indexability
Responsive websites are designed to adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices, making them highly accessible to search engines like Google. When you have a responsive site, the content is readily searchable and indexable, meaning it can be crawled and ranked by search engines.
On the contrary, mobile apps operate in a closed environment, often requiring users to download them from app stores. This closed ecosystem limits their visibility to search engines. Apps rely on promotional efforts to attract users, which can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
Enhanced Discoverability
With a responsive website, you benefit from the natural discovery process of search engines. When users search for relevant keywords or topics related to your business, Google can lead them directly to your responsive site. This organic traffic is incredibly valuable and can result in a steady influx of new visitors without the need for extensive marketing campaigns.
In contrast, mobile apps must be actively promoted and marketed to gain traction. This promotion usually involves advertising, app store optimization, and other strategies. While apps certainly have their place, they often require a more substantial upfront investment to gain visibility and user adoption.
User-Generated Content and SEO
Another critical aspect is user-generated content. On a responsive website, user-generated content, such as reviews, comments, and forum discussions, contributes to your site’s SEO efforts. Google can crawl, index, and rank this content, potentially increasing your site’s visibility and authority in relevant search results.
However, in the realm of mobile apps, user-generated content is typically confined within the app’s closed environment. This content remains inaccessible to search engines like Google, making it challenging to leverage user-generated contributions for SEO purposes. It’s a missed opportunity to enhance your site’s search engine ranking.
In conclusion, while mobile apps certainly have their merits, responsive design offers unique advantages when it comes to searchability, discoverability, and leveraging user-generated content for SEO. By opting for a responsive website, you can tap into the power of organic search traffic and harness the full potential of your online presence without the need for extensive app promotion. This decision ultimately depends on your business goals and target audience, but it’s clear that responsive design has a competitive edge in the realm of online visibility and discoverability.