Content, Layout, Design and SEO

Certain considerations must be made when writing for the Internet. The visitors' impressions of the content layout and readability are just as important as your Web Developer's ability to get visitors to your site using SEO techniques. These techniques maximize the value search engines designate to your site. Search Engine SERP . These programs match potential customers' search terms to your site using calculations that give different weight or importance to the keywords in your content.

An expert Web Developer ensures a website's quality by synthesizing the competing demands of design, structure, readability and SEO. Keep in mind, while reading through these lists, that many factors of web content planning and creation are intertwined and do not fit in just one of these categories.

Overall Design and Structure

• Layout and functionality. Is your site reflective of your personality? Is it clear and easy to navigate?
• Consider your target audience. Will they be intrigued, or feel bombarded, by advanced features such as animation, sound or unfolding navigation? Are they more likely to appreciate simple layout and straightforward design? Do they expect bells and whistles around each digital corner?
• Avoid pop-up windows or advertisements, whenever possible.
• Are your pages of the right length: too much information might require the visitor to scroll down at length and lose their place; conversely, your pages should not be less than 200 words.
• People should be able to find what they need with just 3 clicks. If your site has a lot of information, a developer might consider adding a search box, a jump menu, and /or a site map.

Readability

• Keeping the writing clear and avoiding lengthy paragraphs.
• Stay on topic. Divide longer subjects into multiple pages.
• Avoid spelling and grammar errors.
• Do you engage your visitors, keep them interested and compel them to do to business with you?
• If you have a new product or promotion, update or even add a page to reflect that. Reintroduce it as if it were a new site.

SEO

• Proper use of headings
• Proper use of bullet lists
• The addition of in-line links that include relevant text, both for the actual link and the text immediately surrounding it.
• Look for industry partners who may list you as a resource or give you a reciprocal link from their website. If there is a related industry or association website, consider listing a link there.
• Develop a schedule with your SEO Manager (likely your developer) to review traffic statistics and tweak, constantly improving your Search Engine Result Page (SERP) rating.
• And, finally, consider establishing a marketing budget for with a service like Google.