OMA Comp

Web Design & Development

responsive websites

Gutenberg Websites: The Future of WordPress Editing

OMA Comp Gutenberg websites

Named for the man who sparked the Printing Revolution, this new WordPress editor is poised to change the way we use the platform. It replaces the old editor to help streamline the process.

The Benefits of the Gutenberg Editor

Gutenberg adheres to Googles new standards which makes it better optimized than some other platforms. It is also a user-friendly design. It’s much easier for newcomers or inexperienced users to make changes to their site.

Gutenberg also reduces the risk of plugin issues. The use of blocks means that some plugins will no longer be needed, further simplifying WordPress page creation.

Getting Started with WordPress and Gutenberg

OMA Comp is available to help you transition to Gutenberg and get the most out of this major WordPress update. Contact us today to learn more.

Mobile First Indexing – What That Means for Your Website

OMA Comp Mobile First Website Indexing

There is no denying the power of the mobile platform. These handheld devices have worked their way into our everyday lives. Many people access the web entirely or primarily from a smartphone. There were approximately 3.7 billion unique users in the global mobile population as of January 2018. That’s a huge potential audience for any business.

What Is Mobile First Indexing?

Mobile first indexing is a shift away from web content designed for desktops and a move toward content that’s made for mobile. The term refers to changes to Google’s algorithm that began rolling out earlier in 2018. The update means that Google uses the mobile version of websites for ranking and indexing instead of the desktop version.

What Does This Mean for My Website?

If your website utilizes a responsive design, then you will likely not see any significant changes. The problem is with websites that have more content on their desktop version. Any content that helped with SEO may be skipped if it doesn’t appear on the mobile site. Your pages could rank lower if you fall into that category.

What Can I Do to Prepare My Site for Mobile First Indexing?

Make sure at minimum you have a mobile-friendly design in use. It is best to have a site that is mobile first for best practices to adhere to the Google algorithm. Also, check your pages and make sure you are serving the same content on mobile as you do on your desktop version. Your site should load quickly and be optimized for performance as well. Contact OMA Comp to learn more about prepping your business website for mobile first indexing.

Do I Need the Hreflang Attribute for Google to Display the Correct Language?

OMA Comp Hreflang Attribute for Google

Some websites consist of multiple versions intended for different geographic regions or languages. This makes the site accessible to people across the world. In the past, pages would have to tell Google what language to display using the hreflang attribute.

What Is the Hreflang Attribute?

The hreflang attribute is code that is added to a website to tell Google which language is being used on that page. It would look something like rel=”alternate” hreflang=”x” and would be placed in the HTTP header, on-page markup, or on the sitemap.

This function was introduced in 2011 to help search engines identify the relationships between pages that could be displayed in alternate languages. It allowed sites to offer a localized experience for different audiences. This tool didn’t influence search results ranking specifically, but was intended to ensure that each visitor sees content that is relevant to them.

Does the Hreflang Attribute Still Apply In 2018?

Search engines are getting smarter. Google webmaster trends analyst John Mueller was asked on Twitter on April 25th, 2018 if hreflang tags are needed to display different languages. Mueller responded by stating that “If it’s in a different language, usually Google can figure that out without hreflang. Most queries are clearly in one language, so we can send users to that version of the page.”

It’s still important to include hreflang because Google doesn’t always choose the alternate page. However, some sites may no longer need this element to get the search engine to display the correct content. If you’re ready to learn more or build a fully-optimized, multi-language site, let us know. We’re available in Southeast Michigan to provide website building and SEO services that utilize current best practices all around the globe.

Is Your Website Mobile Friendly?

OMA Comp Is Your Website Mobile Friendly

It is more important than ever for websites to be mobile friendly. With Google’s recent changes paying credence to mobile first websites and the reality that consumers spend much more time using mobile devices than desktop computers, it is prudent that you take time to check out your site on mobile. Need help to make your website a mobile responsive, easy to navigate experience? Contact OMA Comp to update or upgrade.

Does My Website Need an RSS Feed for SEO?

OMA Comp Websites RSS Feeds and SEO

RSS, which stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, is a type of web feed that provides updates to content. The feed consists of a text file that allows subscribers to see content for a period of time after its updated. Does having an RSS feed on your website boost your SEO?

Google Weighs In On RSS Feeds and SRP Ranking

When it comes to your search results page ranking, RSS feeds won’t help according to John Mueller, webmaster trends analyst at Google. A question appeared on his Twitter feed on April 10th, 2018 asking if RSS feeds help rank better in Google. John’s straightforward response was a simple “No.” The question was geared toward news websites, but the answer applies to all sites.

This isn’t new, but it is something that many website owners did not know in 2018. Mueller participated in a video hangout with blogger Jennifer Slegg back in 2015. He is quoted as stating “if you are looking for a ranking boost by having an RSS feed, that’s not going to happen.” He went on to explain that “there’s no direct ranking boost for the website itself.”

RSS Feeds and Search Engine Indexing

The RSS feed is considered a technical tool, so it is still beneficial to have on your site. It can assist with page crawling and indexing. That means new content could be indexed faster and more accurately with an RSS feed. While it doesn’t provide a direct boost to your search engine results page ranking, it can still help. If you have questions about SEO or RSS feeds, contact OMA Comp to learn more.

 

How Often Should You Upgrade Your Website?

OMA Comp How Often Should a Business Website Be Upgraded

Has it been over six months since your company last updated its website? You’re not alone if that is the case.

More businesses are getting online and posting content than ever before; however, an increasing number of firms are also leaving their websites untouched for months on end. Leaving a website untouched for extended periods creates an environment of misinformation to potential customers and lower online optimization from search engines.

Why Do I need to Upgrade?

A business might upgrade their website for a variety of reasons. The top reasons include:

  • Device Compatibility
  • User Experience
  • Information availability
  • Organic Optimization

An outdated website can leave visitors with a sour impression and may impact sales conversion potential. Businesses seriously underestimate the impression a poorly maintained website can make on visitors.

Upgrading for Device Compatibility

Consumers are viewing websites across more devices than ever before. Customers have grown to expect that websites will appear and function properly regardless of the device they are using. It’s a good idea to plan for this “device diversity”, and structure your website to look great across all devices.

Capacity and Speed

Increased traffic to a website is demanding when resources are limited. Upgrading your website’s resources to handle an increase in visitors keeps load times quick and site navigation snappy – a recipe for great user experience.

Growing businesses should create a plan for implementing future website upgrades to allocate resources effectively and tie in the appropriate business functions. Creating a plan in the form of a roadmap of next steps also makes it easier to communicate objectives with stakeholders.

Are you stuck with an outdated website and unsure what to do? Contact us today to explore how our expert developers can assist you.

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