Item: Google Mobile-Friendly Test
Rating: 10
Author: Scott Walker

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

As a marketing agency, we use the Google Mobile-Friendly Test multiple times throughout our process. First, we record the current site's scores before updating or replacing the website. Then, we check-test the mobile-friendliness after launching the new site, giving us a benchmark measurement as well as a "hit list" of things to update. Mobile-friendliness is extremely important to UX and SEO, so we make sure our client's sites are mobile ready.

Pros and Cons

The test gives you an option to test a live website or a chunk of code. This way your test your site code, even if your website is still in development.
The instant "green for good" is easy to see and explain.
The list of "page loading errors" gives you a nice explanation of loading issues that don't necessarily affect the site visibly, but are still slowing it down. This gives you a "hit list" of things to fix or look into.

Google's suggestions are sometimes vague or unhelpful.
The test doesn't offer multiple screen sizes or shapes. Though this isn't a huge issue, it would be nice to make sure a site using media queries stays mobile friendly throughout size changes

Return on Investment

The impact isn't necessarily measurable. I would compare it to asking a carpenter how much ROI a hammer provides when building a house. Google Mobile-Friendly Test is a free tool that is useful for website analysis and testing.

Alternatives Considered

Google PageSpeed Insights and Google Search Console

PageSpeed Insights offers similar (though far more technical) insights for developing websites and testing their mobile performance. There's also a Mobile Friendliness measurement in the new Google Search Console. These tools all work together and are all useful when measuring your website or developing a new one. I'm sure there are many other mobile-friendliness testing tools out there, but I've only used these Google products.

Other Software Used

Google PageSpeed Insights, Google Search Console, Google Analytics

Likelihood to Recommend

It is a single-use tool: it tests mobile usability of a website or code snippet. This is useful before, during, and after the development process. So, if you are developing a website, then the mobile-friendliness tool is a necessity. Its also useful (in conjunction with Page Speed Insights and Search Console) in developing a full idea of site performance and how it relates to SEO.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes

Great for Developers and SEOs

Overall Satisfaction with Google Mobile-Friendly Test