Quick loading times are a must for both users and search engines. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Google uses website load speed as a ranking criteria. One of the best ways to create a lightning fast web page or website is using its AMP or Accelerated Mobile Page version. Besides, it also provides several other benefits such as snippets etc. which help users as well as your business. If you are looking to create an AMP Version of an existing website, this article is for you.
What is the AMP Version?
Briefly said, it’s a form of HTML tailored to the needs of mobile browsers. Known as Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) HTML, this stripped-down form of HTML code is meant to assist mobile web pages load quicker by removing unnecessary code and functionalities.
While Google did start the AMP project, anybody is free to make changes and add to the code. The format should mature more rapidly thanks to this collaborative effort, and you may tailor the code to your publishing needs as a result.
How does the AMP Version Work?
In order for AMP to function, you must use a stripped-down version of CSS (one that doesn’t support JavaScript elements or forms), leaving you with only a handful of HTML.
Now, before you panic, please understand that the situation is not as dire as it initially appears. To begin with, the majority of the HTML code is identical to HTML5, so you may continue to use CSS3 for website styling.
There are just a few major changes, such as the inability to utilise specific HTML tags, fewer advertisements showing up, and pictures only loading when the user scrolls towards them.
Benefits of AMP Version
While Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) itself isn’t taken into account in rankings, page load time certainly does.
In most cases, the load times will decrease significantly when the implementation is finished.
According to Google, the average AMP page load time is under one second. It complies with the necessary minimums for the functioning of the internet.
Also, a faster experience usually results in a better overall user experience, as seen by:
- Reduction in the number of ‘bounces.
- Increasing the amount of time spent on websites.
- Maximised percentage of conversions
Besides, Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs) flag AMP pages with a lightning bolt icon. Furthermore, Search engine optimizers contend that visitors are more likely to click on AMP results since they know they’ll be taken to a quick-loading website. In addition, when AMP is combined with accurate structured data, results are more likely to include rich elements like headline text and graphics larger than a thumbnail size (as seen in showcases for courses, movies, recipes, and restaurants).
You can check sites like PrimApp and TipTop and their AMP Version to realise how these sites are benefitting from the AMP Version. PrimApp and TipTop both are useful websites for health insurance comparison.
Stepwise Guide to creating AMP Version of an Existing Website
Make a Blank Template for an AMP Page
Forming a template for a website is the initial stage in AMP implementation. Multiple publishing systems are compatible with AMP. Blank AMP templates may be created. Alternatively, you may just convert your current HTML pages to AMP using the steps below:
- Simply copy and paste the AMP project’s starter template into your project.
- To add your own material, you might need to make a few adjustments to the basic template. For videos and pictures, for instance, you’ll need to include special AMP elements rather than the usual image and video tags you’ll be acquainted with if you know even the most basic HTML. Comparable to this is the amp-img tag, which is used for AMP images (compared with the standard img tag used in traditional HTML coding).
- Include a video with amp-video or some animated GIFs with amp-anim. Here you’ll discover all the AMP-supported elements you could possibly want, such as those for adding animated GIFs, SoundCloud audio/video, and YouTube videos to customise your page’s content and aesthetic.
- Include the Schema.Org annotations. This is utilised by other search engines to recognise AMP content and makes your material eligible for inclusion in Google Search’s news carousel.
Launch the AMP Pages and Test
It may take a few days for Google to locate, check, and index the AMP versions of the website, depending on the crawl frequency of your site.
Keep the launch going for at least a month (longer if you can do it). If your pages are popular enough, you’ll collect enough data to know if it’s worth it to use AMP across the board.
Track the Data
You should monitor how well your AMP pages are doing.
Pages may be monitored using either built-in or external analytics systems. Amp-analytics is preconfigured in the systems of several analytics providers. For basic tracking, use amp-pixel, and for more advanced analytics, use amp-analytics. Tracking the data will aid you in analysing the site’s performance and do amendments accordingly.
Conclusion
Consumers are increasingly relying on their mobile devices to satisfy their internet requirements, and this trend is expected to continue. Consumers are increasingly completing these searches while they are on the road rather than waiting till they get home to browse online. This might be because they are checking the weather, looking for the most recent apparel trends, or wanting to plan their upcoming weekend getaway.
Because of this, it is important for you as a business to ensure that your website is compatible with mobile devices. To your good fortune, AMP has this situation completely under control and you can easily implement it.
