Google’s mobile-friendly test delivers fast results

The “mobilegeddon” is upon us.

Tomorrow Google will deploy a change to its recommendation criteria, one that heavily favors sites the search engine defines as “mobile-friendly websites.” Mobile-friendliness includes responsive design, quick-loading graphics, vertical scrolling, and more. You can read details about the change at many news outlets, such as Wireless Week.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Websites that are not mobile-friendly will be demoted in Google’s search results on smartphones and tablets. This means if your site doesn’t pass the test, you may lose your high ranking on mobile devices. You may experience large adverse consequences if your product or service depends on mobile consumers, or organic and local searches.
• You can easily check to see if you pass. Go to Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test page and simply enter your URL. You’ll see your results in seconds.

If your site is not deemed mobile-friendly, you can take action. Google offers a Get Started guide that reviews potential next steps in layman’s terms. They also provide advice for working with a developer…and so do we. Check out “7 Things CEOs Should Consider When Hiring A Mobile Developer.”

We started writing about the importance of mobile-friendly websites years ago, and love helping customers make the transition. Please don’t hesitate to contact us about making your site mobile friendly.

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Many thanks to the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan.

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Angela Kujava is the Director of Innovation and Chief Smoothie Officer at Logic Solutions. She is an ardent supporter of the Oxford comma, and will challenge you to a duel if you believe the contrary. Should you find yourself about to duel Angela, it is valuable to know that her kryptonite is Doritos. 

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Bring your own device (BYOD) is a policy where employees are permitted to use personally-owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc) to access privileged company information and applications.  BYOD is an increasingly popular business trend with both pros and cons that companies must consider carefully before adopting a formal policy.

A supporting argument for BYOD is increase employee productivity. Surveys have shown that employees are more productive when using personal devices, are more invested in properly maintaining the device on a more frequent basis, and require less training for a device that they are already familiar with.

Additionally, employees are also more likely to take their work home, which allows for work flexibility, and in turn boosts employee morale and convenience, demonstrating a flexible and attractive work environment.

Furthermore, asking employees to provide their own tablet and/or mobile phone saves the company significant costs by eliminating not only hardware but also software, maintenance, and possibly technology upgrade expenses.

However, some companies may be cautious in adopting a BYOD policy despite the significant cuts to tech costs and device management.  Common concerns about BYOD center around security and sensitive company information.  What would happen if there was a data breach?  What if an employee’s smartphone, that had access to the company network, was lost and untrusted parties could retrieve unsecured data on the phone?  Can or should businesses wipe personal devices after employees leave the company?

Employers that allow their employees to use personal mobile devices for work purposes should consider writing a clear, comprehensive BYOD policy that formally addresses such security, privacy, and control concerns.  The following is a non-exhaustive list of some questions a BYOD policy should cover:

• What devices are allowed or included in the policy?

• What level of access will be granted to the employees?  Will different employees have different access levels?

• What kinds of antivirus and protective software are required?

• If the employee owns the device, who owns the apps and data?

• What type of security should a company require and how will these requirements be enforced? Will remote access be available?

• Who is responsible for supporting devices?  What level of support will the company provide?  What costs or expenses for employee owned devices are the employer willing to cover?

• Will there be a virtual partition in the device to separate work data from personal data?

• What do you do if you find illegal information or activities on the device?  Does it make a difference if it is in an “area�?of the device that is not work related?

• Under what circumstances will the employer wipe company data from personal devices?

If you’re looking for some examples of BYOD policies, here are links to resources that you can get ideas from:

• Toolkit to Support Federal Agencies Implementing Bring Your Own Device Programs

• BYOD Policy Template

• Sample Policies for Schools

• 7 Tips for Establishing a Successful BYOD Policy

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to Mobile App Development Platforms

Compare the pros and possible limitations of top six mobile development tools on the market.

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Jennifer Pan is a marketing coordinator and The New Recruit at Logic Solutions. If you want to get her attention, try talking to her about d20s, (board) games, sci-fi and geeky references, or cute animal videos…or all of them at once. Just don’t bring up her uncanny ability to roll natural 1s.

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1. What types of apps have they developed?

We assume you will do the due diligence to find out whether prospective developers HAVE built apps, but you should also consider what types of apps they’ve created. Were they games? Consumer tools? Productivity boosters? Business or Enterprise apps?

Understanding the ins and outs of a high-performance video game does not necessarily translate into the ability to smoothly deliver, say, a sales force automation tool with secure data requirements. Developers should and can be versatile, but like any other field there are definite specializations.

2. What types of industries do they serve?

We won’t completely pass up a developer who hasn’t worked in our field, but it is certainly a bonus when one is familiar with the particulars of your industry. For example, if your app needs to be HIPAA-compliant, or adhere to stringent financial regulations, it’s much easier to work with developers who have previously satisfied those requirements.

3. What platforms do they know?

Delivering an app across multiple device types is certainly getting easier with the proliferation of cross-platform development, but it’s still important to ask a developer about their expertise. You might find you have a whiz at iOS programming, but a beginner at Android.

4. Do they perform the design work?

Graphic design and UI/UX (user interface and user experience) are CRITICAL for mobile apps. Users will permanently abandon a downloaded app in seconds if it provides a poor user experience. Development firms may offer design and usability services in-house, or work with outside firms. Some developers require you to deliver finished designs before the programming can start. Either methodology can be successful, and you should choose what makes sense for your project, corporate branding standards, or personal sanity.

5. Do they understand how to work with your users and data?

Many times apps involve grabbing data from an outside source, obtaining data from users, or both. You many need to use APIs, web services, and interact with the device itself to pull everything together seamlessly. If that’s the case, having a developer with expertise in data integration can save you a lot of headaches when trying to get information to and from sources.

6. Can they help you with deployment?

Maybe you want your app on public markets like the App Store and Google Play. Submitting your apps for sale involves an application process with code uploads, app review, possible contractual obligations, and more. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, you’ll want to make sure your developer can assist you.

If you’re creating an app for internal use by your employees, there are private distribution concerns to address. Do you need to control your devices with a Mobile Device Management tool? Do you have a BYOD policy, and what does it entail?

7. Are they asking the right things?

Good developers ask tons of questions. They want to know your goals for the app (brand recognition, customer loyalty, revenue generation, mCommerce, process improvement, all of the above, etc.), what devices you’re targeting, who will use the app, how you’re monetizing the app, what other apps do you like, if your tool needs an internet connection, where your current data exists, what security concerns you have, and so much more. They’re considering functionality, best practices, and optimal usability, while looking to avoid technical traps and App Store rejections.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Mobile App Development Checklist

Now that you know what to look for when hiring mobile developers, here is a handy checklist to help facilitate conversations with your developer!

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Angela Kujava is the Director of Innovation and Chief Smoothie Officer at Logic Solutions. She is an ardent supporter the Oxford comma, and will challenge you to a duel if you believe the contrary. Should you find yourself about to duel Angela, it is valuable to know that her kryptonite is Doritos. She cannot avoid their salty, orange siren song.

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On Tuesday, Apple and IBM announced a landmark partnership to create more than “100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including native apps” and sell Apple mobile devices (iPhones and iPads) to IBM’s corporate customers.

The press release states:
The new IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions will be built in an exclusive collaboration that draws on the distinct strengths of each company: IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities, with the power of more than 100,000 IBM industry and domain consultants and software developers behind it, fused with Apple’s legendary consumer experience, hardware and software integration and developer platform. The combination will create apps that can transform specific aspects of how businesses and employees work using iPhone and iPad, allowing companies to achieve new levels of efficiency, effectiveness and customer satisfaction—faster and easier than ever before.

We’ve long complained that Apple tends to ignore enterprise customers (a few years ago I was especially vocal with one Apple rep about the lack of support for enterprise mobile apps), so it will be very interesting to see how this shakes out…and what it holds for Android and the beleaguered BlackBerry.
 
 
Want to learn more about mobile development? Logic Solutions can help you strategize your mobile game plan!

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to Mobile App Development Platforms

Compare the pros and possible limitations of top six mobile development tools on the market.

Download Now

Angela Kujava is the Director of Innovation and Chief Smoothie Officer at Logic Solutions. She is an ardent supporter the Oxford comma, and will challenge you to a duel if you believe the contrary. Should you find yourself about to duel Angela, it is valuable to know that her kryptonite is Doritos. She cannot avoid their salty, orange siren song.

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