AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) Do You need this

[megri]

AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) is a Google-backed project to speed up the web experience on mobile devices. While it's not strictly necessary to have an AMP version of your website, there are pros and cons to consider:
Pros of having an AMP version:

• Faster loading times: AMP pages load quickly (often in under 1 second), improving user experience and engagement.

• Improved mobile search rankings: Google favours AMP pages in mobile search results, potentially increasing visibility and traffic.

• Better user experience: AMP's simplified design and limited JavaScript improve performance on lower-end devices.

• Enhanced advertising: AMP supports fast and secure advertising formats.

Cons of having an AMP version:

• Additional development effort: Creating and maintaining an AMP version requires extra resources.

• Limited design flexibility: AMP has strict guidelines that limit design and layout options.

• Potential for duplicate content: Maintaining separate AMP and non-AMP versions can lead to duplicate content issues.

• Analytics complexity: Tracking analytics across AMP and non-AMP versions can be challenging.

Who needs an AMP version:

• News and publishing websites: AMP is particularly beneficial for news sites, as it helps with discoverability and loading speed.

• High-traffic websites: Sites with large mobile traffic may benefit from AMP's performance improvements.

• E-commerce websites: Faster loading times can improve conversion rates and user experience.

Who might not need an AMP version:

• Small business websites: Simple websites with minimal content may not require AMP.

• Websites with minimal mobile traffic: AMP might not be a priority if most of your traffic comes from desktop devices.

• Complex web applications: AMP's limitations might not suit complex web apps.

Alternatives to AMP:

• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Offer fast, app-like experiences without AMP's limitations.

• Responsive web design: Ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices without AMP.

Conclusion:
If you have a:

• News or publishing website

• High-traffic website

• E-commerce website

• A website with significant mobile traffic

Consider creating an AMP version. Otherwise, optimise your website's performance using responsive web design and PWA principles.
Before deciding, analyze your website's:

• Mobile traffic

• Loading speeds

• Content complexity

• Design requirements

This will help you determine whether an AMP version is necessary for your website.

[megri]

With a small WordPress website (35 pages) and an existing AMP plugin, here's a concise ***essment:
Pros of keeping AMP:

• Improved mobile search rankings: Google still favors AMP pages in mobile search results.

• Faster loading times: AMP can enhance user experience, especially on slower mobile networks.

• Simplified mobile optimization: The AMP plugin handles mobile optimization for you.

Cons of keeping AMP:

• Additional maintenance: Updating both main website and AMP versions can be cumbersome.

• Potential design limitations: AMP's simplicity might restrict design flexibility.

Considerations specific to your situation:

• Small website size: With only 35 pages, maintaining an AMP version is relatively manageable.

• WordPress plugin: Using a reputable AMP plugin simplifies implementation and maintenance.

Recommendation:
Keep the AMP version, but monitor and optimize

• Ensure the AMP plugin is up-to-date: Regularly update the plugin to ensure compatibility and performance.

• Monitor AMP analytics: Track AMP traffic and engagement to ***ess its effectiveness.

• Optimize AMP design: Tailor your AMP design to match your main website's branding and layout.

• Test for errors: Regularly check for AMP validation errors using Google Search Console.

Popular WordPress AMP plugins:

• AMP (Official AMP Plugin)

• AMP for WP

• WP AMP

Tips for optimizing your AMP version:

• Use a consistent design: Mirror your main website's design and layout.

• Optimize images: Use compressed images to reduce load times.

• Minimize custom JavaScript: Limit custom JavaScript to essential functions.

• Test on various devices: Ensure AMP pages load quickly and render correctly.

By keeping the AMP version and following these recommendations, you'll:

• Improve mobile search rankings

• Enhance user experience

• Simplify mobile optimization

Time commitment:

• Initial setup: 1-2 hours

• Ongoing maintenance: 30 minutes per month

This should be manageable for a small website like yours.