In the previous Session we looked at Generating Inbound Links. In this section we will look at Content vs SEO.

Download a PDF version of this lesson (18k) Contents vs SEO. This lesson is a sample from the manual.

• It is important to remember that Search Engines are the on-line equivalents of advertising and public relations. Google can only bring visitors to your site, thereafter it is up to you to engage your user and convince them to act.
• There is no substitute for easy navigation, logically structured quality content, useful information in simple appropriate language that is refreshed regularly.
• This is what Google has to say about content:
  • Quality guidelines – basic principles [http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35772] “Make pages for users, not for search engines.”
  • ..Design and technical guidelines… [http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35770
    &topic=8521&ctx=related]
    • Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links. Every page should be reachable from at least one static text link. [WebSuburb  the menu provides one link, think about creating additional internal links in your content]
    • Offer a site map to your users with links that point to the important parts of your site.[WebSuburb  can add a site map module to your site]
    • Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content.
    • Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.
    • Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn't recognize text contained in images.
    • Make sure that your TITLE and ALT tags are descriptive and accurate.
    • Check for broken links and correct HTML.
    • Keep the links on a given page to a reasonable number (fewer than 100).
• This quote is from the personal blog of a Google team member. [http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/indexing-timeline/] …” There’s SEO and there’s QUALITY and there’s also finding the hook or angle that captivates a visitor and gets word-of-mouth or return visits. First I’d work on QUALITY. Then there’s factual SEO. Things like: are all of my pages reachable with a text browser from a root page without going through exotic stuff. Or having a site map on your site. After you’re site is crawl able, then I’d work on the HOOK that makes your site interesting/useful.”

Good content is more important than good SEO.

WebSuburb SEO credibility checklist

WebSuburb has developed two comprehensive SEO credibility check lists, one for the site as a whole and one for each web page. These checklists with a series of mainly yes/no questions make it easier to score your page or site for search engine friendliness. You WebSuburb consultant can provide you with the most current version of the checklists.

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