When Google says, “Jump”, do you say how high? Or, do you question their authority?
We are referring to the new edict Google has put forth that websites should be “mobile friendly” before April 21st, 2015, or else! Or else, what?
If you are concerned that your luxury real estate website will no longer be accessible on mobile devices because you do not comply with Google’s newest algorithms, that is not true. Your site will still be accessible, but your page ranking may be lowered, eventually.
Since more and more people are searching while on the go, Google is now using their famous carrot and stick methodologies to reward “mobile friendly” website and penalize those that are not. By mobile friendly, it is generally meant that your website design readily adapts to the screen size and functionality of the devise being used and is not just a desktop design shrunk down on a smaller screen. This is often referred to as responsive design because the page display responds to the device being used.
Since over one-half of property searches are now conducted on mobile devices we can understand Google’s own motivation here. Real estate search may be a good barometer indicating that mobile web use across the board has become dominant. Google wants to be the best at serving mobile ads and help keep the mobile customer satisfaction high.
Does this mean you have to jump right here and now into a new website? If you are dependent on buyer leads from Google search, a quick response to deploying responsive design on your website would be advisable.
But, we have been saying for some time now that it is better to be the Google of your marketplace (in terms of top-of-mind status vs. your competition) than to rank #1 on a Google search page. In our opinion, luxury real estate agents are wasting too much time competing in the shark-infested waters of Google page rankings these days. Instead, we advocate focusing on gaining LISTINGS within an under served or uncontested market niche, and let the buyers come to you! It is time for you to become the dominant player in your marketplace using your own wits and wean yourself off of Google dependence.
Go ahead and upgrade your websites to be more mobile friendly with responsive design. But, do so on your own terms! Enough already, being dominated by Google.
Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-
ABOUT: Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry. They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace.