Which Of The Following Website Design Guidelines Have Been Recommended By Google?

Google doesn’t just care about the quantity of the content you put out on your website. While it’s important at a certain point, it actually cares more about how that content is delivered and, of course, quality. 

A well-designed website that follows Google’s best practices is crucial for both user satisfaction and search rankings. Doing so can improve your rankings, attract more traffic, and offer a better overall experience for your visitors. 

Read on we discuss which of the following website design guidelines have been recommended by Google to ensure it is both visible and accessible for visitors.

1) Mobile-First Design

There’s no need for us to stress how important this is. With billions of mobile phone users, there’s no surprise that it is one of the very first things that Google considers.

Since 2016, Google has shifted to mobile-first indexing. This means it primarily uses the mobile version of your site to rank it. So if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re not only jeopardizing user experience but also risking your place in search results.

Google primarily recommends responsive design—where the website automatically adjusts to different screen sizes—as the best approach. A mobile-first strategy also helps to make your site accessible to a wider audience which benefits both user engagement and SEO performance.

2) Fast Load Times

Page speed has been a critical ranking factor for some time now. Google wants users to have fast and smooth browsing experiences. Slow-loading pages lead to high bounce rates which negatively affect your SEO. 

In fact, research shows that 53% of users will abandon a site that takes more than 3 seconds to load.

To optimize speed, Google suggests compressing images, minimizing JavaScript, and utilizing caching to speed up loading times. Fast load times, in turn, contribute to better user engagement, more page views, and higher rankings on search engines.

3) Secure Your Website (HTTPS)

Security is a priority for Google, and it has made HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) a ranking factor. This means that websites with HTTPS encryption are favored over those that only use HTTP. HTTPS ensures that any data exchanged between your site and its visitors is secure, which is especially important for eCommerce sites.

If your website (along with its internal and outgoing links) still uses HTTP, Google may flag it as insecure that can lead to trust issues with users. Switching to HTTPS is essential to improve your SEO and effectively build trust with your visitors.

4) Simplified and Intuitive Navigation

Google values websites that offer users a smooth and easy-to-navigate experience. Sites with confusing menus or poorly structured content will likely see higher bounce rates and lower rankings. 

Making your site easy to navigate enables Google’s algorithms to better crawl and index your pages. This includes simplifying your main navigation menus, categorizing content logically, and using internal linking to direct users to relevant pages.

5) Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Effective call-to-actions (CTAs) are vital for guiding users toward the next action they should need. This can either be:

• Signing up for a newsletter
• Making a purchase
• Contacting your business

Moreover, having well-placed and easy-to-understand CTAs also encourages engagement and helps your website perform better. Google takes into account user interactions as part of its ranking algorithm, so improving your CTAs can indirectly benefit your site’s SEO.

6) Structured Data for Rich Snippets

Structured data (also called schema markup) allows Google to better understand the content on your site. Adding structured data to your pages allows Google to display rich snippets—extra information like product prices, review ratings, and event times—in search results.

These rich snippets not only make your site stand out in search results but also increase click-through rates. Implementing structured data is a powerful way to enhance your SEO and visibility.

7) Avoid Intrusive Pop-ups

While pop-ups can be effective for lead generation, it’s essential to use them sparingly and ensure they don’t disrupt the user’s browsing experience.

Google has made it clear that intrusive pop-ups are can affect user experience, especially on mobile devices. Pop-ups that block content or are difficult to close can result in penalties from Google which can negatively affect your rankings.

If you do use pop-ups, make sure they are easy to dismiss and don’t cover important content.

8) Content Readability and Accessibility

Google encourages content that is easy to read, accessible to all users, and valuable. Websites with content that caters to a broad audience—especially those with accessibility needs—are more likely to rank higher.

Here are some tips on how you can improve your website content:

• Use legible fonts (preferably sans-serif) and appropriate font sizes for readability
• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to accommodate users with visual impairments
• Provide alternative text for images and captions or transcripts for videos to ensure everyone can access your content

9) Optimized Image Use

Images are an essential part of web design, but they can also slow down your website if not optimized properly. Google recommends that website owners compress images to reduce load times without sacrificing quality. Optimized images not only enhance performance but also help with SEO through alt text.

When using images, make sure they are in the right format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, or WebP) and that they are appropriately sized for faster loading. Don’t forget to add descriptive alt text to improve accessibility and image search rankings.

10) User-Focused Content

Finally, Google emphasizes the importance of creating high-quality and user-focused content. Content that directly addresses the needs and interests of your audience is more likely to rank well in search results. Basically, Google wants website designs to prioritize content that is helpful, informative, and valuable to users.

When developing content for your site, think about what your audience is searching for and aim to answer their questions or solve their problems. High-quality content encourages longer page visits and engagement, both of which can improve your SEO.

Conclusion

Google’s website design guidelines are rooted in creating the best possible experience for users. By following these recommendations, you can improve both your site’s performance and its SEO rankings. While implementing these best practices may take time, they will ultimately help you build a website that is optimized for users and ranks on Google search results.

Need a hand in building a professionally designed website that meets the standards set by Google? Consider reaching out to Chromatix!

At Chromatix, we specialize in designing websites that meet Google’s guidelines and optimize user experience. If you’re looking to improve your website’s design and boost your search rankings, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call us at 03 9071 3189.