Web Design For Search Engines

A website with great branding but without a great overall design will only get you so far.  But how do you get there, and how do you know what great website design even is?

Most would say a website is designed well because of the way it makes people feel when they first land on it.  That, combined with the impression received from the graphics and text (the branding component) on it.  The truth is, without great design  the branding work you did is not being given the best opportunity for people to see it (when they search for it online).

Knowing what search engines look at when they analyze your website will certainly give you a leg up.  Implementing the following website design hacks on your website will have you well on your way to page one of Google.

Tip #1: Increase Page Views

When a visitor to your website is browsing, the goal through your design ought to be to get them to click on as many pages as possible.  (this does come with stipulations though, see tip #2)

This is accomplished by making your website easy for your customers to navigate–whether they’re on their mobile smartphones, tablets OR their laptops.  The more intention put into creating a viewing experience optimized for screens of different sizes, the easier your website will be to navigate–and as a result get found on search engines.

Google is tracking everything about your website and your competitors’ websites.  Lets say your business is that of a general contractor.  Picture your website showing up on search engines.  What page are you on?  What page would you like to appear?

There are undoubtably several general contractors in your area, but what will help your website continually rank up, and improve its search engine rank over time?

When Google determines the page and position your website appears via their search engine, one of their metrics is calculating the average number of page views or “clicks” from visitors already on your website.

The Takeaway: If your website averages more page views than your competitors you will continually rank up faster on search engines. 

Tip #2: Increase Time People Spend On Each Page

For the same reason Google likes more page views, they also like it when people spend more time on your website (on average) than the websites of competing businesses in your area.

The best strategy for getting people to spend more time on each page of your website is to produce engaging content.  This can be accomplished through the use great graphics that tell the story for the text on the page, and featuring videos that have the same effect.

You could also conclude from this that having less pages with more optimized content would be a favorable strategy for your business and your overall online strategy.

Not to mention (I’m mentioning it anyway) you will be active contributor to the de-pollutionizing of the internet (also known as content shock) #GreenInternetFTW!

The Takeaway: If your website averages more time spent on each page than your competitors you will continually rank up faster on search engines.

Wrapping Up: Make sure Google knows…

1. Your website’s design is superior to your competitors–design it to increase avg. page views!
2. The content on each page of your website is more valuable than your competitors–design it to keep people there longer!

In conclusion, its the combination of great branding and design that makes your website more profitable to your business. Not just one or the other.

Your Turn

What’s the best part about your website thats helped your business rank up on search engines, or increased its overall ROI?  Please respond using the comments section below, and be sure to share this post with anyone that would benefit from it!

Until next time, Heath

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