Is Your Web Site Ready for "Mobilegeddon" ?

In late February, Google announced that it would be changing its search results ranking algorithm to favor websites that are mobile-friendly. As of April 21, 2015, websites that provide a mobile-friendly experience will see better performance from its mobile search results.

Below is an example of the notices they are sending to Webmasters.


This is pretty serious stuff. Google knows that the future of search lies in mobile, and is pretty much forcing everyone with a web site to get their act together.

This is particularly timely for the process control / instrumentation / valve automation / industrial automation world (let's call them "process control" companies for short). It's estimated right now that only about 20% of process control companies are friendly to mobile viewing. That means 80% of process control web sites are NOT MOBILE!

This morning (April 2015) I received a press release from Spirax Sarco, promoting their "newly designed, state-of-the-art website in the first quarter of 2015.  The customer facing website effectively promotes the Spirax Sarco brand, company capabilities and value proposition. "

Guess what? It's not mobile! Although their press release says the site is "programmed to provide a site visitor with clear, easy to read appearance no matter what device and/or platform they use. Whether the site viewer is on their desktop computer at the office, or viewing the site on the go from their mobile device, their interactive experience will include well-structured navigation and useful content." - NOT.


How does that happen? I mean, Spirax Sarco is one of the biggest brands in process control. I am assuming the new web site design was an active project for months. What were they thinking? I don't blame Sarco. I truly feel bad for their marketing people. I blame whomever they hired to build the new site. They shouldn't have let it go live without this critical function.

Anyone out there, in the process control world, who wants or needs to discuss the mobilization of their web site should email me at info@cms4i.com. I'm happy to give you a free appraisal of your site and honest advice on the best path toward compliance.