Is Your Vet Website Mobile Optimised

In 2019, everyone is glued to a smartphone. Even kittens are tech-savvy these days… which is why you need to make sure your website is mobile optimised.

As Google explains “people carry their devices everywhere they go and constantly use them to search”. So it is no surprise really that since 2016 mobile has fast overtaken traditional desktops as the most popular device for Internet browsing. And then we have tablets and iPads too… so in short, your website requires responsive mobile-friendly (mobile optimised) web design (or redesign) to keep it looking good (and working properly!) on all of these different device platforms.

When Google Recommends you Jump,
you say “How High?”

jumping staffy

As early as 2015, Google began changes to their algorithm geared toward ranking mobile-friendly pages higher. In March 2018, Google began ranking and prioritising pages based on mobile websites only. This is BIG news from the world’s most used search engine – as it officially means Google see the internet as ‘Mobile First’. Now if your website isn’t up to scratch you will definitely pay the cost in your search visibility – but more importantly, in your client reach and business viability.

Here are some more reasons to keep mobile optimised:

  • “In 2018, 52.2% of all worldwide online traffic was generated through mobile phones, up from 50.3% in the previous year” (Statista, 2018)
  • In Australia, a whopping 90% of under 50-year-olds access the Internet via mobile. Between ages 50-64 it drops to 61% and for 65+ drops again to 33% (Zenith Report)
  • Australia is expected to exceed global trends with smartphone penetration surpassing 90% by the end of 2018 (Deloitte’s 2018 Technology, Media and Telecommunications Prediction report)
  • There are more than 1.2 billion mobile web users worldwide (Mobiforge stats)
  • According to a poll, many Australians spend 3+ hours a day on their smartphones, some more than 5 hours!

Pet owners tend to search for vets in their local area so it is more important than ever to be visible.

So What Now?

One of the most preferred and responsive strategies for this is – Mobile First, which likes the name says is “designing for the smallest screen first – and working your way up”. Due to the restrictiveness of a smaller screen, this can also help your vet clinic get clear on your main message and how you wish to present it.

So don’t be a digital dinosaur. Be pawprints ahead of the competition by staying relevant. Remember, your website reflects your brand. If it’s not easily accessible or usable consumers may question your veterinarian skills or whether you’re up to date on pet health. So your reputation is at stake. Ensure your mobile-friendly pet owner clients are happy both online and off. Contact us for more advice on how to optimise your website.