All Things Web

Yesterday we discussed the importance of using valid code and css for your web site. In our SEO Basics series we’re on our second subject. Use Text Whenever Possible.

As a business person, you want your web site to be as attractive as possible, and the easiest way to do that was to use images for navigation, layout and visual presenation of your web site. The issue that many web site owners don’t realize is that information in an image is unsearchable by the search engines.

A great way to increase your web sites search rankings as well as improving accessibility for your web site is to use text when it is at all possible. With CSS or cascading style sheets, it is now easier than ever to create a visually attractive site that is very searchable, fast loading and fully accessible to all visitors.

The most important area a company should focus on improving is their navigation areas. Any navigation should always be text based if that is ever possible. Search engines love keyword rich links and navigation menus are the easiest way to achieve this.

A note of caution, make sure that your web site designer uses CSS and lists to achieve the text based navigation and not Javascript or DHTML. You want the search engines to see these links, index them and follow them on to the other pages within your web site.

To recap, there are really three main reasons you should use text when at all possible on your web site.

1. Improved Accessibility
2. Faster Load Times
3. Improved Search Placements

So make sure to follow this simple tip, and your web site will be on its way to future success. Make sure to stop back tomorrow, we will be discussing the third and final step in our SEO Basics series, Unique Meta Information.