SEO and Why It’s Important

The internet is always moving at a fast pace and we have to make sure we keep up with it. In earlier articles I mentioned how important design, semantic code and a correct blend of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is. One of the things that can get overlooked is search engine optimization (SEO). This is a critical part of your website and MixxCreative bundles SEO into every project. We make sure your site receives a delicious dose of proper meta data, keyword-rich folder structure (URLs) and proper image optimization.

The reason SEO is so important is because it improves the visibility of your website in search engines through the natural, or “organic”, search results. Putting your site at the top of the results page drastically improves your business. We apply certain methods to your site to take advantage of how search engines work.

There are some methods that return negative results such as using keyword stuffing. We avoid these, of course.

Keyword stuffing is considered to be an unethical search engine optimization (SEO) technique. Keyword stuffing occurs when a web page is loaded with keywords in the meta tags or in content. The repetition of words in meta tags may explain why many search engines no longer use these tags. ~Wikipedia

Using tactics like this is known as “black hat” SEO techniques and will penalize you in the search engine rankings. Google offers documentation on how to use “white hat”, or proper, methods.

Specific guidelines

• Avoid hidden text or hidden links.
• Don’t use cloaking or sneaky redirects.
• Don’t send automated queries to Google.
• Don’t load pages with irrelevant keywords.
• Don’t create multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.
• Don’t create pages with malicious behavior, such as phishing or installing viruses, trojans, or other badware.
• Avoid “doorway” pages created just for search engines, or other “cookie cutter” approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.
• If your site participates in an affiliate program, make sure that your site adds value. Provide unique and relevant content that gives users a reason to visit your site first.

The above content is courtesy of Google: http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35769#3

MixxCreative makes sure your site is fitted properly with SEO enhancements so that it “works nicely” with popular search engines. Are you ready to enhance your site with SEO? Contact us today.