I‘ve only had my iPhone 4s for a couple of days, but already one thing is obvious to me: Siri is changing the way I search for local goods and services. A LOT. (more…)

Google has just launched a new service called GoMo that will allow website owners to get mobile-friendly versions of their websites.

Mobile-optimized websites are simplified versions of regular sites that are easier to read when accessed on smart phones and small-screened tablets.

GoMo will take a desktop site on demand and format it to a mobile version. To make it easier, Google will open up a storefront of it in Downtown Mobile. It will be open for a few days and business will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Business owners can walk in and get a free mobile-optimized version of their website set up in about half an hour. Google will also pay to host the mobile website for a year.

Google’s Jesse Haines described the reasoning behind the launch of the service:

Every day more and more of your customers are looking for you…on mobile devices.  If you don’t have a site that works for mobile, you’re missing out.  61% of users are unlikely to return to a site that’s not mobile-friendly.  On the other hand, customers embrace sites that are built for mobile–consumer engagement increases by 85% with a website designed for mobile devices.

According to Google, here’s what you can do with GoMo:

• See what your customers see: Enter a website address into the GoMoMeter and see what your site looks like on a mobile phone.  The GoMoMeter will analyze your site and give you customized recommendations on how to make your site more mobile friendly.  You can even download a free customized report!
• Learn about why mobile matters: Cool infographics and the latest data will help you learn more about mobile trends and why mobile-friendly sites really matter.
• Get inspired by great examples: Look at the mobile sites of businesses who are doing it right and learn how to make your site better with our ten mobile site best practices.
• Find a mobile site builder who can help: Check out our list of mobile site developers who can help you build your mobile website.

With mobile searches gaining more and more popularity it makes sense for Google to come up with a service that helps adapt sites for mobile viewing. For those businesses that are lagging behind on mobile content, GoMo could be just what you need to “Go Mobile”.

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