There are still Los Angeles entrepreneurs out there who fail to realize the deep connection between search engine optimization and Web design. If you really want to improve your ranks on Google and other search engines, then you really need to pay attention to how your site is being designed and handled, whether by you or a professional Web designer.
You simply cannot win the SEO rat race if your website is poorly crafted and lacks significant pieces of the puzzle. So to help you get your site in order, we’ve put together a list of things your designer should be doing to boost your website’s search engine optimization.
Creating a Smart and Responsive Design
This is at the front and center because you won’t get ranked unless your website is mobile-friendly. Local companies have already added this to their SEO strategy, especially those that were penalized for not having a mobile-friendly website in the first place. It’s no longer an option – you absolutely must have a responsive design, so that anyone using any device can access your site. Keep in mind that most of today’s Internet users are browsing from their smartphones and tablets. Aside from the site being responsive, it has to be designed in a smart and attractive way. It should harmonize with whatever device it’s being accessed by.
Implementing a Logical URL Formation
This is essential for optimizing your website for search engines. Google, Bing, Yahoo and the others dislike URLs that are ambiguous. For instance, if you’re a coffee shop, you should have a URL that says something like www.domain.com/coffee-shop-los-angeles rather than www.domain.com/post/id1234566. People are more likely to click on a link that gives clues to where they’re going.
Increasing Your Site Speed
If you’re working with an SEO services company, you have already been told that your site speed is vital for keeping bounce rates down. You need to have a site that loads up fairly quickly – within a few seconds. Because if it doesn’t, people are going to leave, never to return again. No one today has the patience to deal with slow-acting websites, especially when they’re trying to shop or get information. There are quick and easy ways you can keep an eye on the speed of your website. You can use websites that check your site speed or you can use tools that are integrated into whatever analytics software you decide to use.
Not Using Too Much Javascript
Javascript can help spruce up your Web design, but not if it’s too much. Google doesn’t like too much of it, so it’s a good idea to keep it minimal. Most implement it into their design because it makes it look snazzy. Images can enhance the appeal of your site, but should be kept at A reasonable size. You don’t want to slow down your website speed. Make sure your Web designer doesn’t over do it. Alt tags for the images should also be included to improve optimization.
Cleaning Up Your Code
The code on your website should be clean and crisp. If it’s too complicated, search engines will have a difficult time ranking it. Keep in mind that search engine crawlers may struggle with recognizing pages with complicated coding. So make sure your designer isn’t stuffing your Web pages with too much stuff.
Using Minimal Flash
Like Javascript, flash is best used minimally. Search engines today don’t like flash sites, so only certain elements on your site should use it. And if possible, it should be avoided altogether. But if you absolutely must include it, don’t use it for navigation and don’t apply it to your text. Flash can be a great addition to a site, but only when it’s necessary and as long as it doesn’t detract from your user experience model.
Making the Navigation Simple
The navigation of your website should be simple, so that anyone can browse your site with ease, no matter the device they’re using. The user experience is everything, and this plays a big part in that. Make sure all of your menus are helpful and functional.
It’s good to be in the know regarding what your Web developer is and isn’t doing and why. Make sure they are good on keeping you in the loop, so you don’t end up paying for something that will harm your rankings.
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