04
2012
A website designer may have little to do with the actual content of a website, but there are reasons for a web designer to have clear understanding of search engine optimization. Although SEO is most often associated with text and the use of keywords, it also involves linking, tagging, navigation and loading of website pages. If web visitors leave a badly designed web page because they do not instantly find what they are seeking, this has an adverse affect on SEO. When visitors return to search results a few seconds after clicking on a link, this is an indication to the search engine that there was little value in the content. Consequently, the website may get a lower ranking in search engine results.
These are the main reasons why a web designer should understand SEO:
1. Linking
It is important that each page of a website is designed so visitors can find internal links and navigate around the website without experiencing any difficulty or frustration.
Although a web designer is not concerned with external linking, it is well to remember that each page of content on a website can be linked back from other websites, online directories, blogs, social networks and bookmarking communities. Some of these links will help to increase the SEO and search engine page ranking of the website.
Social network updates and bookmarks also get indexed by search engines, and some bookmark networks provide “do-follow” links. A web designer should ensure that share buttons are clearly visible on each page, either near the top or immediately following text, video or image. This makes it easy for visitors to share content with followers in different networks. A social network user only needs to click an icon button or follow a “share this” link to recommend the web page, and have it show up in their status feed. A link back to the content will automatically be generated to appear in a social media update, or as a social bookmark.
2. Loading
Another important element in web design is speed of page loading. A web page with too many graphics, widgets, banners and boxes can take a long time to load, and will annoy many visitors who do not have broadband Internet connection. It can also have an adverse affect on SEO; Google recently revealed that speed of page loading is part of the algorithm for page ranking.
3. Keywords
Producing SEO keyword content is largely of concern to content writers and publishers, but a web designer should understand the importance of incorporating keywords into page links, image titles, video tags, page description, heading and tagging. Whenever new content is uploaded onto a website, it should be designed to allow keywords to be identified with that page, and to show up in page links on other parts of the website.
A website with could have, for example, new content added to provide tips on web design, and another new page for information on website promotion. Prominent links should instantly appear on the homepage for Web Design and Website Promotion. Use of keywords in the page URL will also help search engines to identify important keywords. Each new page URL could look something like this: mywebsite.com/webdesign/ or mywebsite.com/website-promotio n.
A web designer ought to be aware of the way Internet users search for information, and consider exactly what they will find when they visit the website. Web design is not about using sophisticated coding and hosting some impressive interactive features, it is more important to ensure that visitors find what they want quickly, and that people can easily navigate their way around the website. SEO plays a part in all of this, and a good web designer will always consider SEO to be an important element in website design.
[color_box title="ABOUT THE AUTHOR" variation="glossy_blue"]
Ruth Belena
I am Channel Manager for Business of Writing and Writing Process. Do contact me if I can be of help, or if you want know more about topics in these channels.
I have previously worked in print publishing and in book marketing. A few years ago I became a part time mature student, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
I like to write about business topics and Internet issues. I’m also enthusiastic about nature and wildlife, history and culture, art and literature.
I was born in the north of England and I now live on the south coast.
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Tags: SEO, Web Design, Website Design
