FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that I receive:

Q. Does my business REALLY need a mobile friendly website?

A. If you are a local business offering a service of some kind to the local population and those visiting the area – then the simple answer is YES. In late 2011 Google made it clear that they will “penalise” those local businesses that DO NOT offer a mobile friendly experience. (Learn More)

…and since over 90% of all UK searching is performed via Google Search; local businesses need to take action.

Q. I have heard that Google AdWords charges MORE if I do NOT have a mobile friendly website ?

A. YES, this is TRUE.

When Google looks at how to decide which ads to feature, they consider how well a site is tailored for mobile devices – things like; whether it works well for touch, is made for smaller screens, has shorter load times etc.

As a result of this policy change by Google, ads that have mobile optimized landing pages will perform better in AdWords — they will generally drive more mobile traffic at a lower cost.

(In addition – as of late 2011, if your current website uses Flash, Google may choose NOT to show your Ads at all on smartphones as the iPhone/iTouch/iPad do NOT display Flash in their browsers, so leading to a very poor user experience.)

Google is wanting to give its users the best possible experience when using Google Search on a Smartphone… so in 2012 you NEED a mobile friendly website!

Q. I have a website designer already, why do I need you ?

A. My obvious response is “so why have they not already contacted you?” …but that aside,

Another important point here is that designing mobile friendly websites that engage the user require DIFFERENT skills than building a website for use by desktop browsers (Learn More)

Also, I am NOT touching your current website that they have created. I will send you ALL the files and graphics for your new mobile website (and the redirect code that detects a mobile phone is trying to view your standard website). You can then forward them to your current website designer.

Q. Does a mobile friendly website mean “duplicate content” ?

A. Google has publically stated that having a mobile friendly version of your website, in addition to your main website, will not cause their algorithm to score your mobile website as “duplicate content” and so rank it much lower than your competitors. So there is no need to worry!

Q. Is it OK to use a “free” mobile website creation service online?

A. There is no such thing as “free” when it comes to mobile websites. If you use one of these services you are using a service that offers little customisation, no analytics capability, poor SEO and you will not be able to host the site alongside your current one. If you are serious about ranking well in Google so that your customers can find you, they offer a poor alternative to the custom built service that I offer… As with anything of value in life, you get what you pay for.

Q. Can I host my website on a .MOBI domain ?

A. YES you can. However, if you wish to rank highly in the search engines I would advise against it. If you already have a website you would be far better off by adding the mobile website to a subdomain such as: http://m.yourwebsite.co.uk OR by adding to a folder on the current site such as: http://www.yoursite.co.uk/mobile. This will give you a far better ranking experience at Google etc.

If a web designer is wanting to put your website on a new domain it is more than likely they are wanting to profit from charging you more!

Q. I have been told I can create a mobile website using WordPress ?

A. YES you can. WordPress is an excellent platform for building websites on. This website you are reading right now is built using WordPress.

BUT, when it comes to mobile websites, WordPress is NOT designed for this. WordPress uses a special database to store all the content. This is OK for viewing a website on a broadband/cable connection, but can be too slow for delivering a mobile site over a 2G/3G connection that a smartphone may be using. As speed is one of the factors Google is taking into account when ranking your mobile website, building it in fast loading pages that have been optimised for mobile phones is a MUCH better option!

Q. Why do you NOT charge a monthly fee – like most of your competitors ?

A. I can if you wish! …there is simply no reason to. Once I have designed the mobile site and it is then hosted on your server, the one that hosts your current website. That’s it… job done.

(My competitors who charge a monthly fee are often hosting the mobile website on their server; that’s NOT good for you as you have little or no control over it unless you pay a monthly fee to them. I don’t work like that.)

If you do require any changes to the mobile website, either myself or your current website designer can make the changes for you, a small fee will apply if I am doing the work.

Q. How long does it take to get a Mobile Website designed and built ?

A. For most websites it takes between 3 to 5 working days to have the website ready for client approval.

Q. Why are you much cheaper than other mobile website designers?

A. I have worked from an office at home for the last 8 years and employ no staff and do not require a car for my work. So this means my outgoings are significantly less than my competitors! This allows me to charge my customers less…

Q. Why do you not charge VAT ?

A. I personally have no wish to start completing VAT returns on a regular basis! So I have structured my work so that I stay below the annual VAT threshold. That way I can charge my customers less than my competitors!