When it comes to achieving maximum optimization for your website, it is just a bit unfortunate that graphic aesthetics can sometimes clash with the on-page search optimization of the website, but there are a few things that you might want to consider in order to appreciate the very best results possible.
First, we should backtrack for just a second and make it clear that graphics are certainly not bad for optimization—in fact, when used correctly, they actually help site optimization. But sometimes using graphics to get just that certain stylized look achieves its purpose of eye candy while making the site much more difficult for both visitors and search engines alike. An example? Certainly…
Using Image Files Instead Of Properly Marked Page Headings
Sometimes web designers will use graphical components on the page to separate one section of content from another…or sometimes, they’ll use the graphics in place of the page’s main heading even. They will often use text headings written within in the image file to achieve a certain font or style that might not always be available by coding it into the page textually.
When done by a good designer, this almost certainly always looks fantastic. The thing is, the search engines (and many accessibility features) rely on actual text headings and titles within the page to understand what is what—and what is important.
A very popular and effective SEO technique is to use your page’s targeted keywords within these headings and sub headings. It’s also a good idea to use heading tags within the code like <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, and so on. If you don’t have much experience with HTML web coding, this might be going in one ear and right out the other, but here’s why it matters: using graphics instead of properly marked page headings throughout the body of your page disallows all of these very important site optimization benefits!
Here’s The Good News…
You can absolutely receive all of the search optimization benefits of using text headings and still have the good looking graphics too. The key is to simply use both. Sure, the design will have to take this cooperative strategy in to account to avoid “overdoing it” or ending up with a cluttered, overly busy look. But it can definitely be done!
Let us help you come up with a great concept for your next website! At WSpider, it’s always our goal to take a holistic approach in designing sites from the ground up—making sure they look great and are search friendly at the same time.
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