Top 10 SEO Tips A Website Designer Need To Know
A beautifully written and designed website isn't much good without built-in SEO elements
. Is your site lacking search engine optimization? If so, it's like a 5-star restaurant on an uncharted tropical island. People would love to go there, but they don't know how to find it. A good website designer "puts you on the map," incorporating SEO in every step of the design process. But not every designer is up on the SEO skills needed to create a site that will rank highly in the search engines.
I have to admit, I dragged my heels on tackling the SEO side of website design, until l realized that it's not hocus pocus or a matter of tricking the search engines into noticing you. It's about supplying the right language to help them deliver relevant information to users. When you apply precise, descriptive wording throughout your site, it allows Google, Yahoo, Bing and the rest to understand your content.
How to boost your visibility with built-in SEO
For a greater online profile and a more effective website, make sure your designer or web developer incorporates all 10 of these critical SEO elements:
1. Key phrases and keywords
My keywords are pretty obvious - graphic designer, SEO websites, logo design, etc. By why should I try to compete globally, with every graphic designer and web design firm on Earth? I narrowed my market so I rank higher in my own neighborhood by adding geographic terms to the mix - San Francisco graphic designer, Bay Area SEO websites, East Bay logo design...
2. Descriptive page URLs
Replace generic page descriptors with keywords. Rather than calling a page "donohuedesign.com/services," give the search engines some substance to grab onto - "donohuedesign.com/email-newsletters" tells more of the story.
3. Keyword title tags
Another chance to identify the content on your page lies in the page title that appears at the top of the browser window. You have 8 to 10 words to describe the page and include search terms your customers will use to find you.
4. Relevant alt tags
If you leave the alt tag blank, or simply name a photo "image 1" or "123.jpg," you've wasted an opportunity. Instead, describe graphics and images in relevant terms and keywords. My portfolio samples, for example, might have alt tags such as "San Francisco caterer logo" and "Palo Alto software company website."
5. Meta descriptions
While it may not make a huge difference in search engine rankings, it's still wise to include a unique meta description for each page. The best reason is because the description often appears on the search engine results page and acts as a mini ad, enticing people to click on your site. A distinctive explanation per page also avoids the appearance of duplicate content and helps search engines distinguish between pages.
6. Text vs. graphics
Make sure you're using a balance of images and text, with your keywords appearing both in the copy and the image file names. Beware of embedding important content inside a graphic image, where search engines can't read it.
7. Hyperlinks
Incoming links from other sites are very important, but don't forget to link from page to page within your site. Because Google places highest value on the home page, links from there to interior pages help spotlight other key content. And be sure to make links between your pages descriptive and keyword-laden. Replace vague "click here" and "learn more" links with "see SEO website portfolio" and "learn more about email marketing."
8. Site map
A great navigational tool, an HTML site map gives search engines and site visitors a quick overview of the categories of information they'll find on your site. The map also provides a list of links to each page.
9. Linguistics and natural writing
To attract search engines and visitors to your site, write content that's clear, focused and above all, written for humans. Don't overdo it by stuffing multiple keywords into awkward, unreadable sentences. While it's Google's software, not their staff that reads and ranks your site, the sophisticated system recognizes the difference between real, naturally written content and keyword gobbledegook. Concentrate on providing good information for your readers, and vary your language by replacing some keywords with synonyms. Google will get it.
10. Google Analytics
Measure your results! Your website developer can set you up with this free site analysis service from Google. Then, log on any time and get detailed reports that track the amount and sources of traffic to your web pages. This valuable data tells you which pages are working effectively and which need improving.
Add these 10 SEO elements and you elevate a good website to great - bringing you increased traffic and improved sales results.
Top 10 SEO Tips A Website Designer Need To Know
By: John Balthazar
Design Considerations For Molded Keypads The Importance Of Proper Keypad Interface Design
Interior Design Ideas For Accent Lighting in Your Home Warming Interior Design Ideas For the Living Room tattoo websites - design you your own tattoo online tattoo designs ideas Printable Tattoo Designs - design your own tattoo online tattoo custom design - design your own tattoo online custom design tattoo - design your own tattoo online your tattoo design - design your own tattoo online design your tattoo - design your own tattoo online unique designs for tattoos tattoos designs for the lower back