Bizzy Boutique 2.84 Upgrade : Mobile Responsiveness : Google Algorithm Changes
Bizzy Boutique version 2.84 is ready for release. This latest version of your store builder software creates mobile friendly product layouts and forms on the front end site, and includes a few mobile templates. It also includes an administration area style update, time zone support, the option for secure site links (SSL), and a few bug fixes to the 2.83 release.
While 2.84 is mobile responsive and provides the necessary framework to make your site mobile responsive ready, in order to make your actual website appear responsive on mobile devices you must have your template edited by the original designer and/or switch to one of the built-in mobile responsive template options. These mobile responsive template options will be loaded into your Bizzy Boutique 2.84 store admin following the upgrade to the latest version and are, at this time, very basic in design and layout. We are working on a mobile responsive DIY template and additional free mobile responsive premium templates for version 2.84 to assist with this transition. Unfortunately, none are available for preview at this time but we hope to have them out in the coming days. If you are interested in following the progress of our mobile responsive DIY and premium templates, please be sure to follow our announcement on this topic for updates.
Bizzy Boutique version 2.84 is minor release and a stepping stone to version 3.0 expected out later this year. Version 3.0 will also be mobile responsive and will include many new and upgraded features. We’re very excited and will be sharing more information on 3.0 in the coming months.
You may try the Bizzy Boutique version 2.84 on our demo store: bizzymamahosting.com/bizzyboutiquedemo/storeadmin
username: admin password: bbdemo
Please note that some functionality of our store builder has been disabled for this online demo!
Why upgrade? What will happen if I do not upgrade?
On April 21, 2015, Google plans to make sweeping changes to the types of URLs displayed during mobile searches. Many in the industry are calling the changes to come Google Mobilegeddon. The very short of it is that on April 21, the Google search engine algorithm changes will penalize websites that are not fully mobile responsive. Ultimately, this means that if your website does not meet standard mobile responsive requirements, you will no longer appear in mobile search results. This is a very big deal in the age of mobile searching and shopping.
What does “mobile friendly” mean?
“Mobile friendly” means that your website is optimized for viewing on mobile devices. Mobile friendly websites auto adjust to all devices and are better able to be read and viewed from cell phones and other mobile devices.
Is this store builder upgrade required?
No. However, if you do not upgrade, you should expect that your website will be penalized and your current Google ranking will very likely drop. You should also be aware that if you do not upgrade, your site will not be considered mobile friendly and that may be a problem for your customers and regular website visitors.
How can I find out how much website traffic I will be at risk of losing if I don’t upgrade?
It’s tough to say but chances are it’ll be a significant drop. If you have Google Analytics installed, this article shows you how to find information on how much of your traffic is coming from mobile searches. http://www.socialmediatoday.com/technology-data/2015-03-17/how-much-will-google-mobile-armageddon-affect-your-site-traffic
What about my template/web design?
Your current template structure should be compatible with the Bizzy Boutique 2.84 software. However, in order to make your site fully mobile responsive, you must have the design edited to include mobile responsive functionality where you originally purchased your template. Any questions about template compatibility should be taken up with your designer. You may also switch to one of our basic and included mobile responsive template layouts.
What about Dualcy?
If you are using Dualcy to make your Bizzy Boutique mobile friendly, you will want to contact them before scheduling your upgrade to determine if the modification can and/or should be used with version 2.84. We do not provide support for the Dualcy software.
More about mobile responsiveness and the April 21, 2015 deadline:
This worldwide change to search policy is good for customers who do or plan to do their shopping from mobile devices, but means lots of work for site owners and developers.
The official announcement from Google: “Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.” http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.ca/2015/02/finding-more-mobile-friendly-search.html
Google’s Mobile Friendly Test: Note: If you are using any Bizzy Boutique version prior to 2.84 (and do not have the Dualcy add-on installed) you will fail this test! A failing result on this test means that your site will be penalized following the changes to come on April 21, 2015. To see a 2.84 passing result, search our demo store by copy and pasting the URL: http://bizzymamahosting.com/bizzyboutiquedemo into this search box: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the April 21 Changes: “Google is going to update their algorithm again, and if you’re on the wrong side of the law you might lose a lot of traffic.” http://www.searchenginejournal.com/small-business-owners-guide-googles-april-21-mobile-friendly-algorithm-update/129535/
Mobile Shopping Insights: “More than 96% of consumers surveyed say they plan to tap their mobile smartphone this year to scout out the best retail bargains.”http://www.bulldogreporter.com/dailydog/article/pr-biz-update/mobile-shopping-marketing-insights-new-study-examines-consumers-attit
Additional Information:
Template/Web Design: Unfortunately we cannot provide support for your template. We also cannot assist you with making your current template mobile responsive. You must take this up with your designer. If you do not update to a mobile responsive template, have your current design edited by the designer to include mobile responsive capability or switch to one of our provided mobile responsive templates before the deadline, your website will not pass the Google requirements, even with the upgrade to version 2.84!
Modifications: Unfortunately, modifications created for older versions of the Bizzy Boutique will likely not work with version 2.84. The upgrade will very likely break any modifications you have had added to your core codes. Broken mods may result in unexpected behavior on your website. We are unable to upgrade around your modifications. We are also unable to provide support for broken modifications. If you have questions about your modifications and/or whether this upgrade will be a problem for you, you should contact the company from which you purchased your mods. Please note that the April 21 deadline is fast approaching, so plan accordingly. If your modification no longer works and/or produces an error following upgrade, you must contact the business from which your mod was purchased. Please have this contact information ready in the event that you need it following upgrade. You would know if you have had modifications added to your store because you would have purchased them separately from a company like Mod Your Cart or The Avalon Rose.
Upgrade fees:
If you are using Bizzy Boutique version 2.8x+, the upgrade to version 2.84 will be free. To place your 2.8x to 2.84 upgrade order, please click here.
If you are using Bizzy Boutique version 2.7 the upgrade is $10.00. You may pay this fee at the time of your upgrade, or schedule with our billing department to pay it at any time within the next 30 days. If you need to schedule to pay at a later date please contact us prior to placing your order! To place your 2.7 to 2.84 upgrade order, please click here
You may place your upgrade order through this form: https://bizzymamahosting.com/support/cart.php?gid=9
You may also visit your client area and navigate to the Services/Order New Services/Upgrade category to place your order.
If you have multiple sites and/or software installs, each request will require its own individual upgrade order!
How upgrades will work:
This change is a big deal for us all, and we’re also working on a new design for the primary Bizzy Mama site to meet these new requirements and rebuilding following our cyber attack. However, every request that comes in for upgrade before the April 21, 2015 deadline will be performed before that time. If you want to ensure that your website is ready for the changes, place your upgrade order early and contact your designer to get on their list for the necessary changes to your template.
Please also note that the store admin area layout for version 2.84 is somewhat different that previous versions. KB articles and screen shots will not be updated for this minor release, but rather will be completely redone again for the 3.0 release. Paths and locations will remain very similar to older versions of the software. Following your upgrade, should you have any questions about the new layout, open a ticket and we’re happy to help!
We imagine you have questions. Please understand that while we are always happy to help, we’re also very busy coordinating and working on upgrading 100’s of websites and also to maintain our regular support ticket turnaround for other store builder and hosting related questions. This message and attached articles were carefully chosen and created to answer many common questions about what’s coming and how you can prepare. We especially recommend taking a look at The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the April 21 Changes (http://www.searchenginejournal.com/small-business-owners-guide-googles-april-21-mobile-friendly-algorithm-update/129535/) linked above that goes into great detail on what to expect and includes links to many helpful resources. If you still have questions after looking over these resources, please feel free to reply to this email or open a new ticket from your client area. Note: Non-emergency 2.84 upgrade, feature and/or mobile responsiveness questions and tickets will be treated as low priority at this time.
SUMMARY:
Ok Mama, we know you’re Bizzy. Here’s a quick summary for your review.
- Mobile shopping is big business in 2015!
- Google is changing the way they rank websites for mobile searches and will begin penalizing sites that aren’t mobile friendly on April 21, 2015.
- We’re releasing an upgrade to your store builder software that will make your site mobile ready.
- Your template may not be mobile ready right out of the box. Your options are to a- contact your designer to have the current template edited or switch to a template that is mobile ready. Note: Your upgrade will include some very basic designs and we’ll be releasing more in the coming days. (Check here for updates http://bizzymamahosting.com/support/announcements/54/Bizzy-Boutique-284-Upgrade--Mobile-Responsiveness--Google-Algorithm-Changes.html
The web is changing. Be ready. Place your upgrade order now!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
