A change in Google's formula for prioritizing search results could keep churches without mobile-friendly websites from being as visible online to potential visitors.
Starting April 21, Google updated its algorithms for searches done from mobile devices to give higher placement in the results to websites that are compatible with such devices. That means churches with older, more basic websites may not appear among the top results when, for example, mobile phone users search for "Baptist church" and their city.
"Why is this a concern?" asked Michael Magruder, director of LifeWay.com for LifeWay Christian Resources. "Google estimates that over 60 percent of search queries currently originate from mobile devices. The biggest question businesses and organizations ask is, 'How do I know if my website is mobile optimized?'"
Tony Boes, the Missouri Baptist Convention's webmaster, told Baptist Press there are simple ways a church can determine whether its website qualifies as mobile-frienay, public domaindly. First, pull up the site on a mobile phone. If it fits the screen well and has buttons that are a clickable size, the site likely is mobile-friendly. Keep reading
Photo credit: Pixabay, public domain
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