Google AMP on Magento- A Good or Bad decision?
We have published some decent number of articles about Google AMPs till now. However, we haven’t discussed how an eCommerce platform like Magento can adopt the Google AMP for better visibility. Even the eCommerce sites need a
qualified
mobile
experience,
and
despite
all
the
loading
speed
optimization, who would not want a more accelerated speed for their mobile pages. You must know that Google is also planning to bring AMPs to the search and display Ads. In this article, we shall discuss how AMPs can help a Magento store curb the bounce rates and drive better conversions. Moreover, we shall also look into some drawbacks so that you can make an informed choice about the implementation on your own store.
AMP-
Accelerated
Speed
and
Boosted
Conversions 1. Accelerate speed on mobile pages The AMP project clearly mentions that web pages developed using the Google AMP recommendations can attain a loading speed 4 times faster than a regular non-AMP mobile page. Since the project is open-source, it’s potential is not
limited to 4 times only, the research is still going on, and it can further be boosted.
2. Support for Major Magento Page Elements As a perfect example of an eCommerce site, eBay is always a winner in implementing the best AMP pages for its site. It has launched more than 9 million AMP pages so far and proved that AMP and be well effective for eCommerce sites as well. For Magento based eCommerce sites, AMP is supported by all the major elements for Homepage, Category Page, and Product page as well. Using the particular AMP HTML, JavaScript and CSS from the AMP library, Magento pages can be tweaked to look like any other mobile page of the site. However, they will not be any regular mobile page. They will have the speed of AMPs.
Image Source: Magento Commerce
Image Source: BSS commerce This is how the Magento category pages would look with AMP
These examples clearly show that Magento AMP supports images, video, banner, sorting, layered navigation, and rich snippet just like the regular Magento mobile pages. The difference is AMPs are 4 times faster than the regular mobile pages.
3. Get rid of bounce rates at least on mobile According to Google, 70% of mobile searches occur either from a 3G or a slower connection speed. In this situation, when a page loaded with regular HTML, CSS, and JS is served to a mobile user, it takes ages to just open that page. Here the user might not be patient enough to wait for more than 3 seconds to get your page loaded. In fact, 40% of users to be precise, who would leave your site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Moreover, with further increase in the load time, every second would cost 7% of your potential conversions. In such a situation, with a speed, 4 times more than your regular speed would not only save your page from bounce backs but would also boost the conversion chances.
4. The indirect boost in the Search ranking Google never officially says that AMP can boost the search ranking. However, any rookie SEO can easily imply that a page loading 4 times faster and having least bounce rate will always be favored by the search engine. So, if not direct, then an indirect SEO is boosted for sure with Magento plus AMP. That means AMPs can help you use the regular Magento SEO techniques in a better way on the page.
Some drawbacks that might affect 1. Only for mobile devices AMPs work only on mobile pages. Your desktop users will continue to see the regular desktop pages. If you want your desktop pages to load faster, you will have to optimize loading speed the regular way. So, if mobile optimization is not on your list and you want to concentrate on desktops only, then AMP is not for you.
2. Not an easy implementation AMP is not an easy implementation. It requires a lot of time, resources and patience to finally see the benefits. You cannot use your regular HTML, CSS, and JS to create the AMPs. You will have to understand and expertise the use of AMP-specific HTML, CSS and JS. The whole process takes a considerable amount of time. However, some Magento development companies do provide the AMPs development services. You might want to get in touch with them if you do not want to do it by yourself.
3. You cannot ditch your mobile site AMP is just for few pages for your website. Moreover, as of now, they don't have much of the direct SEO aspects as well. If you are planning to launch the AMP pages for your Magento store, you will still need your mobile version of the site in parallel. The AMP version of the pages is completely different from the mobile pages. So, you cannot skip the need for a mobile responsive site even if you use the AMP.
4. It’s limited Considering just the Magento platform the extent up to which AMP can be used is limited. It can bring the customers to the AMP pages with the fastest speed, but it cannot support the whole purchasing process through AMP. Once the customer clicks on "Add to cart" on AMP product page, the page will be redirected to the regular mobile page to complete the further purchase process.
Over to you Listed both the benefits and cons implementing AMP on your Magento store. Think a little deeper and if you decide that mobile optimization is a crucial requirement for your CRO as well as SEO, AMP is for you. Despite there are some drawbacks, the benefits of AMP cannot be ignored so easily. Moreover, Google never misses stressing on the use of AMPs. It won't be a surprise when Google someday announces AMP as one of its ranking signals (not that sooner as it seems with my words though).