Search engine optimization (SEO) has certainly taken the virtual world by storm. Basically, it is the act and practice of increasing the rank of certain websites in search engine results pages. It is also kind of centered in Google, given that it is certainly the best and the most widely used search engine around the world. There are a lot of factors that affect it – discussing all of it will certainly fill up a textbook so instead of doing so, let's look at a particular facet: web design.
What is web design?
Basically, it encompasses the many skills and disciplines used in the production and maintenance of websites. These include web graphic design, interface design, authoring, user experience design, and yes, search engine optimization. Back in the day, it was only limited to people who are well-versed in computer technology and software. Nowadays however, with certain tools and learning resources, even people with basic computer knowledge can engage in it. So, what are the facets of web design that can affect SEO and the ways on how you can maximize it?
Content
Aside from being aesthetically appealing and structurally sound, websites have to have outstanding and quality content. A website's content may include blog posts, entries, the website header, descriptions and the pieces of information in each page. It has to adhere to the standards that are set by Google, especially to its algorithms (or search mechanisms), Penguin, Panda and most recently, the Hummingbird. Content for to increase search engine rankings is also content which is for users. Whereas high keyword stuffing and density would equate to increase in rankings back in the early years of search engine optimization, nowadays, it will result into penalties and a dramatic decrease in search ranking results.
An intuitive and “crawlable” navigation
The way Google and other search engines determine the rankings of websites can be comparable to this: millions of microscopic insects flying through the Internet, checking the websites for quality content and every aspect of its composition. With that said, in order for these bots to be able to crawl over your website, it has to have a navigation system which is structured, organized and easy to read. The navigation system has to be text-based and be located at the top of the website.
Responsive web design
It's not all about the information stored and provided by the website – it is also about the type of web design being employed. In this case, it has to be responsive. Why resort to it? Well, this is so mainly because responsive web design basically adjusts to the device that is being used to view the website. Whether the visitor uses a smart phone, tablet or a personal computer, the view would be adjusted to make it look convenient to users. Also, Hummingbird likes it, so why not?
Overall, search engine optimization and web design are interrelated. Though they may seem to be totally different from each other, some of the concepts used in both of them are the same and affect one another.
Basically, it encompasses the many skills and disciplines used in the production and maintenance of websites. These include web graphic design, interface design, authoring, user experience design, and yes, search engine optimization. Back in the day, it was only limited to people who are well-versed in computer technology and software. Nowadays however, with certain tools and learning resources, even people with basic computer knowledge can engage in it. So, what are the facets of web design that can affect SEO and the ways on how you can maximize it?
Content
Aside from being aesthetically appealing and structurally sound, websites have to have outstanding and quality content. A website's content may include blog posts, entries, the website header, descriptions and the pieces of information in each page. It has to adhere to the standards that are set by Google, especially to its algorithms (or search mechanisms), Penguin, Panda and most recently, the Hummingbird. Content for to increase search engine rankings is also content which is for users. Whereas high keyword stuffing and density would equate to increase in rankings back in the early years of search engine optimization, nowadays, it will result into penalties and a dramatic decrease in search ranking results.
An intuitive and “crawlable” navigation
The way Google and other search engines determine the rankings of websites can be comparable to this: millions of microscopic insects flying through the Internet, checking the websites for quality content and every aspect of its composition. With that said, in order for these bots to be able to crawl over your website, it has to have a navigation system which is structured, organized and easy to read. The navigation system has to be text-based and be located at the top of the website.
Responsive web design
It's not all about the information stored and provided by the website – it is also about the type of web design being employed. In this case, it has to be responsive. Why resort to it? Well, this is so mainly because responsive web design basically adjusts to the device that is being used to view the website. Whether the visitor uses a smart phone, tablet or a personal computer, the view would be adjusted to make it look convenient to users. Also, Hummingbird likes it, so why not?
Overall, search engine optimization and web design are interrelated. Though they may seem to be totally different from each other, some of the concepts used in both of them are the same and affect one another.