How does my mobile site affect my desktop Google rank?

Background

22nd February 2015, Google announced on their webmaster blog that they would be changing their algorithm on mobile devices to favour sites that are mobile friendly. They also introduced a mobile friendly testing tool which basically tells you whether your website fits within their guidelines or not (worth checking at this point if you haven’t already). According to this tool, if you have a ‘mobile version’ of your site you are mobile friendly, the same goes for if your website is responsive.

How is the mobile change affect your desktop ranking?
  1. Google loves responsive Google’s new algorithm favours responsive websites over websites that aren’t mobile friendly, its as simple as that. Not only will a responsive website rank you more favourably on a mobile device but as Google see responsive design as ‘best practice’ they also use it as a ranking factor for desktop sites. Your mobile strategy WILL have an adverse effect on your desktop rankings.
  2. Click through rates (CTR) Click through rates is a factor that Google uses to rank your website. Simply put, if you get fewer clicks through to your site and Google sees a drop in the number of visitors you get, then they will move you down the rankings. As 60% of people now use their mobile phones to search the internet, not being found on a mobile device is effectively SEO suicide if you want to appear anywhere near page 1 for your search terms.
  3.  Responsive sites reduce bounce rate – Bounce rate is another factor that Google use to rank your website. Responsive sites 99% of the time are better designed for the end user and look more modern than non-responsive sites. An interesting homepage will reduce number of people clicking through to your site and then leaving straight away.
  4. Trusted website – By this I mean, if someone starts their search on a mobile and cant find you & then they search on a desktop and see your site, it is unlikely that they will think of you as a trusted site due to the fact you didn’t appear on their mobile search. This will likely decrease the number of clicks you get through to your website and as I said earlier this means your rankings will drop!
Conclusion

It is more more important now than ever before that you get a responsive website. Not only will you be in Google’s good books but you will also increase the amount of traffic to your site, which will mean more valuations and instructions! Whether you get a responsive website now or a year down the line could be the difference between the number of instructions you get increasing or decreasing on last years figures. If you are an agent looking to increase your online presence then our team of website consultants would be happy to talk you through your needs a requirements just call 0845 301 1198. We offer several different responsive options from templates to fully bespoke designs, all designed to get you valuations and instructions!

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More