When it comes to browsing the web and shopping for products and services online, more and more people are using their smartphones and tablets. Whilst PC and laptop computers are by no means going anywhere soon, smart, portable devices have become the go-to choice due to the extra convenience that they provide. For business, this has meant that a mobile-friendly website is a must.

If you have ever filled out a form or tried to buy a product online using a smartphone or tablet, you’ll know just how tricky it can be if the site you’re on isn’t designed to be browsed on a mobile device. So, why is a mobile-friendly website so important today? Let’s find out.

Reason #1. Good User Experience

Let’s face it – if you were to browse a website on your smartphone and it was a nightmare to navigate, chances are you won’t be shouting from the rooftops about the great experience that you had. In fact, you might even vow to never visit that site. Instead, you will set out to search for a suitable competitor who can better meet your needs. This is exactly how your customers will think; in 2017, mobile-friendly websites are expected by anybody using a smart device to browse or shop.

Reason #2. Improved SEO

It’s not just your customers who prefer a mobile-friendly website – Google and other search engines are also more likely to give favor to sites that utilize a responsive design. Within the past few years, Google has recognized the need for more mobile-friendly websites as statistics show that more users are choosing mobile devices over the traditional PC. In an http://searchengineland.com/library/google/google-mobile-friendly-update" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">algorithm update two years ago that saw many websites drastically drop down the rankings, Google made it clear that they no longer have the time for websites that refuse to get with the times. If you need help improving your website’s SEO, check out Single Grain, a reliable digital marketing agency.

Reason #3. Better Brand Reputation

Yes, you guessed it – better SEO along with a more positive user experience on your website can only result in one thing: an improved brand reputation. Today it’s easier than ever before to leave your thoughts and opinions on a brand online, and customers are not too shy to leave a scathing review should they have a terrible experience on your site. There’s no denying that attempting to navigate a non-mobile friendly site on a mobile device is barely ever a good experience. If all your customers are saying is how they struggled to find what they were looking for when visiting on their smartphone or tablet, your brand’s reputation will go rapidly downhill.

Reason #4.Increased Sales

If you run an e-commerce store or sell a product/service to your visitors on your website, then it will certainly pay off to become mobile-friendly in terms of profit and revenue. According to statistics, online shopping is on the rise – and that’s not all. A huge percentage of today’s online shoppers make their purchases from a mobile device, especially smartphones.

There’s no reason not to go mobile-friendly in 2017!