The SEO To Do List

As mentioned in the introduction, a big part of doing SEO work is getting your web site search engine friendly (SEF since we are using acronyms). SEF entitles recreating or re-tagging your web pages to create flow. Think of it as a city road with traffic lights, one way streets and dead end signs.

So, exactly what does this mean?

Simply put, search engines don't see images, videos, flash components or anything other than text for that matter much less the flow of HTML tables, rows and columns the key here is to keep your web pages "accessible" to search engines. The Following is a brief list on do's and dont's to get a SEF web site.

1. Use header tags that match the page's title: If your page's title is "bluberries" use an h1 in the body that implies "blueberries"

2. Replace java-script image rollovers with CSS rollovers: If you haven't done so, it is a good time to get into CSS. CSS is key to design a stylish SEF web site. You can make any HTML tag look fantastic without jeopardizing search engine accessibility.
3. Get content: A site without content is a search engine's worst enemy. Good sources of content are FAQs, Glossary, News about your business or industry, etc. Don't get stock with just products and services, and don't hide text on images. If you have and image with text inside, re-do it without the text, use it as a background on a div and type the text.
4. Be generous to the WWW and don't let your web site be a DEAD END. Having links to other pages benefits you as it makes you an information provider. Partner with link exchange programs or talk to your business neighbors to exchange links.
5. Don't stick to Flash-only and Image-only navigation: Provide text links to ALL the pages in your web site. Pop ups are not links since generally they are linked to "#" or a javascript:void. It is a good idea to stay away from pop ups, not only they are skipped by search engines, they may also get blocked by pop up blockers.
6. Don't try to overload your web site with keywords: Keyword density is a thing of the past (for Google).
7. And the always popular KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Remember, if it makes sense to you it makes sense to them. Too often we see how people drift away by creating a web site that targets search engines and not actual visitors. Having a search engine friendly web site will aid in your optimization efforts without a doubt. Take care of your housekeeping before inviting people over and you'll have a site that attracts everyone.

William Jattin is the lead designer for Hatten Design, a Miami based web design company.

William Jattin is the lead designer for Hatten Design, a Miami based web design company for more information about our products and services visit http://www.hattendesign.com