Great for Developers and SEOs
May 31, 2019
Great for Developers and SEOs
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Google Mobile-Friendly Test
As a marketing agency, we use the Google Mobile-Friendly Test multiple times throughout our process. First, we record the current site's scores before updating or replacing the website. Then, we check-test the mobile-friendliness after launching the new site, giving us a benchmark measurement as well as a "hit list" of things to update. Mobile-friendliness is extremely important to UX and SEO, so we make sure our client's sites are mobile ready.
Pros
- The test gives you an option to test a live website or a chunk of code. This way your test your site code, even if your website is still in development.
- The instant "green for good" is easy to see and explain.
- The list of "page loading errors" gives you a nice explanation of loading issues that don't necessarily affect the site visibly, but are still slowing it down. This gives you a "hit list" of things to fix or look into.
Cons
- Google's suggestions are sometimes vague or unhelpful.
- The test doesn't offer multiple screen sizes or shapes. Though this isn't a huge issue, it would be nice to make sure a site using media queries stays mobile friendly throughout size changes
- The impact isn't necessarily measurable. I would compare it to asking a carpenter how much ROI a hammer provides when building a house. Google Mobile-Friendly Test is a free tool that is useful for website analysis and testing.
PageSpeed Insights offers similar (though far more technical) insights for developing websites and testing their mobile performance. There's also a Mobile Friendliness measurement in the new Google Search Console. These tools all work together and are all useful when measuring your website or developing a new one. I'm sure there are many other mobile-friendliness testing tools out there, but I've only used these Google products.
Google Mobile-Friendly Test Feature Ratings
Using Google Mobile-Friendly Test
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
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