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Google Mobile First Initiative

What is Google's Mobile First Initiative?

Posted on 2/3/2021 by Cory Roletto, WEO Media Partner/Owner

Graphic of Google's Mobile First Initiative showing the switch from desktop specific, to desktop plus mobile, to mobile first from WEO Media

Mobile First is a multi-year series of ranking algorithm changes to shift focus from desktop computers to mobile devices. For the past five years, the volume of search on mobile devices has exceeded desktop traffic, so this move does make sense. The final transition is called Mobile First Indexing which will be complete in March 2021. This will complete the transition from desktop to mobile algorithms

Desktop Algorithm > Desktop Algorithm & Mobile Algorithm (2016) > Mobile Algorithm (March 2021)

At the highest-level Google intent is twofold.

1.	Make It Easier for Google: Google split mobile and desktop search into two separate algorithms back in 2016. This rewarded those who spent time to customize the user experience on desktop and mobile separately. Although good in theory, it took significant effort to maintain. Consolidating back down to one algorithm is just less work.
2.	Focus on Mobile Search: With mobile search volume exceeding desktop and the desire to move to one algorithm, shifting to the mobile algorithm made the most sense.

This is a departure from past algorithm changes which primarily focused on improving user experience. Mobile First indexing is more about efficiency and reduced complexity for Google's own operations.

Scope of Mobile First

Website design technology and code changes significantly about every two years, most of which is driven by the screen size and resolution of devices, as well as Google’s agenda. Since April 21, 2015, when Google introduced "Mobile Friendly" tests¹ into their algorithm, dedicated mobile websites have proven to be the best for user experience and conversion. They were concise, easier to navigate, quicker, and provided the information a person searching on a mobile device desired more readily.

Google's Mobile First initiative is massive. It is a total reversal from their original preference for dedicated mobile sites. Website designers and SEO agencies will need to ensure their websites don't fall into irrelevance by meeting Google's mobile expectations. According to Google, by March 2021 their algorithm will only consider content on the mobile website for ranking. It will ignore any content that only shows up on the desktop version of a website². However, content is still king so the more unique content on a website the better. Gone are the days of being more concise or customizing content for a better mobile experience. Now you need to show everything on mobile!

What This Could Mean for You

If you have a fully responsive website with no customization for mobile, then you will probably be just fine. If there has been some customization on your website you may need to remove media calls that exclude content on mobile versus desktop and confirm the website still formats correctly.

If you have a dedicated mobile website, then you probably will need to rebuild the entire website ASAP.

If you have a desktop only website, then it will be completely dropped from Google's index.³ So, if you care about being found in a Google search you will need to build a new website ASAP.

Next Steps

If you don't know the details of your mobile website, then you should ask your website designer or SEO agency. Another option is to have WEO Media analyze your current website (send email to info@weomedia.com). Time is of the essence if changes need to be made, especially if you need to move away from a dedicated mobile or desktop only website.

Constant Innovation

At WEO Media we pay close attention to the long-term direction of Google, making efforts to communicate when a change in direction is needed. We were a front runner in dedicated mobile site design in 2015, and a driver of secure websites when it started playing a role in Google's algorithm. For mobile first, we transitioned to only offering fully responsive designs three years ago and communicated for over a year the need to transition away from dedicated mobile sites as soon as possible.

¹Google Search Central - https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/04/rolling-out-mobile-friendly-update
²Digivate - https://www.digivate.com/blog/mobile/responsive-web-design-dedicated-mobile-site-or-mobile-app/
³Search Engine Journal - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-mobile-index-news-from-pubcon-virtual-2020/384111/

Marketing Services for Dentists & Dental Specialists

As leaders in our industry, we here at WEO Media can help you and your team navigate the intricate complexities surrounding today's dental marketing.

Dental Websites

Your dental website is the first impression your potential patients have of your practice, make sure that impression is the one you want to make.

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Dental SEO

When your business is at the top of Google’s search results, you should see a significant increase in website traffic.

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Dental PPC

Pay per click ads typically pop up at the top of search engine results pages and are an effective tool if you want to drive more traffic to your website.

Learn More about PPC

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Patient Pipeline

Optimize marketing efforts, increase practice revenue, and get higher returns on your investments.

Find out if Patient Pipeline is right for you

Reputation Management

Drive patient reviews to the most important online review sites for dentists: Google, Facebook, and Healthgrades.

Boost your Online Reviews

Social Media

We will work with you to implement strategies designed to grow your followers, and ultimately grow your practice.

Put your socials to work

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Healthgrades

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Scheduling

Along with the basics, we also offer a wide-variety of additional marketing services. Some of these services include:

•	Credit Card Processing: We have partnered with an online credit card processing company to help your patients pay through your website. Our partnership also helps you save money with lower rates and transaction fees.
•	Dental Practice Photography: As we mentioned in a previous section, custom photography can help potential patients feel connected to your practice before their first appointment. If you need an experienced photographer to update your online photos, our team is here to help!
•	Direct Mail Campaigns: Believe it or not, direct mail campaigns are still a powerful promotional tool, especially for people that have just moved to your area. If you want to target this demographic, we can design a custom campaign tailored to your office and brand.
•	Email Based Newsletter for Patients: An electronic newsletter is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your current patients. We want to avoid the old adage, “out of sight, out of mind.” Staying visible with a newsletter can lead to more scheduled appointments and better patient loyalty.
•	Email Hosting: We offer email hosting to ensure your business email matches your website domain. A matching domain and email address is much more professional that using Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail.
•	Facebook Ads: Due to Facebook’s popularity, paid ads can be a fruitful way to generate new patients leads. Facebook ads are also unique in that they allow us to target your key demographic (with laser focus) based on age, gender, geographic location, relationship status, “likes,” education, job title, and other aspects.
•	Logo, Design, and Branding Services: Your logo and brand may be more important than you think. Talk with our design team to learn more about your possible options, whether you need a new logo or want to update an existing one.
•	Online Bill Pay: Much like our credit card processing, online bill pay makes it easier for your patients to pay for their treatments, especially if they need a payment program. We use the latest software and security measures to ensure a seamless billing process.
•	Patient Forms (Fillable PDF): A fillable PDF makes it easier for your patient to complete their paperwork before their first visit. This reduces your set-up time, allowing you to see more patients throughout the day.
•	Patient Forms (Secure Online): Secure online forms cut paperwork out altogether, meaning your staff will not have to waste time transferring the data to your computer system. It is also a more environmentally-friendly option, a nice selling point for patients that want to keep it green!

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We Provide Real Results

WEO Media helps dentists in Portland, OR acquire new patients, reactivate past patients, and better communicate with existing patients. Our approach is unique in the dental industry. We work with you to understand the specific needs, goals, and budget of your practice and create a proposal that is specific to your unique situation.

+400%

Increase in website traffic.

+500%

Increase in phone calls.

$125

Patient acquisition cost.

20-30

New patients per month from SEO & PPC.

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Are you ready to grow your practice? Talk to one of our Senior Marketing Consultants to see how your online presence stacks up. No strings attached. Just a free consultation from experts in the industry.

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Why Choose WEO?

Not your Average Dental Marketing Agency

WEO Media specializes in dental marketing for dentists across the country, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored specifically for you.

We have helped dental practices across the country enhance their online presence, attract new patients, and increase patient retention. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the dental industry. Our expertise in SEO, website design, and content marketing ensures that your practice is easily found online.

Ensure your practice remains competitive in an ever-evolving landscape, our commitment to innovation means your marketing efforts will always be cutting-edge.

At WEO we take the time to understand your practice's specific goals and tailor our marketing strategies to meet your needs. Whether you need a new website, social media management, reputation management, or pay-per-click advertising, WEO Media provides customized solutions that fit your needs and budget.

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WEO Media, 125 S. 1st Ave, P.O. Box 249, Hillsboro, OR 97123, 888-788-4670, weomedia.com, 12/20/2024, Tags: Dental Marketing,

Google Mobile First Initiative

Scope of Mobile First

What This Could Mean for You

Next Steps

Constant Innovation

Marketing Services for Dentists & Dental Specialists

Dental Websites

Dental SEO

Dental PPC

Patient Pipeline

Reputation Management

Social Media

More Services

Credit Card Processing:

Dental Practice Photography:

Direct Mail Campaigns:

Email Based Newsletter for Patients:

Email Hosting:

Facebook Ads:

Logo, Design, and Branding Services:

Online Bill Pay:

Patient Forms (Fillable PDF):

Patient Forms (Secure Online):