Today, a wider array of devices are being used to browse the web than ever before. This presents an interesting problem for businesses, as sites must be built to cater to a diverse range of visitors without knowing which gadgets will be used to view pages each time.
Mobile search is also getting richer and more complex, with updates making it possible to find media content and even stream apps, not just locate links to sites.
This is because Google realises that in the modern age, device agnosticism is incredibly important. The search engine needs to be able to meet the needs of users whether they are using an iPhone or an Android device, whether they are on a desktop PC or a tablet.
As a result firms offering SEO in Northern Ireland and elsewhere like those at the Ryco Web Northern Ireland SEO agency may be able to assist businesses in creating sites which take advantage of Google’s latest updates. But what does agnosticism mean when applied to web design and is it really that important?
Mobile Dominance
Online services need to be device agnostic because browsing habits are evolving in a way that makes a mobile-first approach essential. The number of searches carried out from smartphones and tablets has already exceeded desktop activities this year, marking a major turning point.
The physical constraints of portable devices, including the smaller screen size and the fact that touch-based interactions are used rather than the keyboard and mouse approach to inputs, mean that sites must be optimised to be mobile-friendly from the ground up. Responsive web design has exploded in popularity as a result, enabling sites to morph and fit any size screen without compromising usability.
Platform Agnosticism
Device agnosticism is not only about working with different hardware setups, but also the software that makes everything tick. While you can develop a separate app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone, it is arguably more productive to build a mobile-friendly site which serves all three audiences in one neat package, as well as keeping desktop visitors happy.
A website is still one of the best ways to promote your business in the digital era, and if it’s flexible and compliant with modern trends then it should give your website the agnosticism it needs to thrive.