Search Engine Friendly.

Search Engine Friendlier Visual Media

We live in a day and age where people use search engines on a daily basis to find information, products or services. Web site owners who offer these things want to be found in the number 1 spot for a particular keyword phrase or at least on the first page of results.

Here are few tips to make your visual media search engine friendlier.

Use JavaScript Wisely
Using JavaScript to display content can add great features to your website. However, in the long run, it can also make content harder to be reached by search engines. When using JavaScript do so wisely and keep the code clean.

Make Use of Image <alt> Attribute
Text only websites are typically dull and image based websites are unrecognizable to search engines. Find a good balance between related content and images, and always make use of the image <alt> attribute.

Provide Additional Content with Podcast and Videos
Podcast and videos are great for users as well as lowering your bounce rate. However, without any additional content, they are rendered as useless for search engines. I recommend providing a transcript or any additional content along with your podcast and videos.

Stay Away From Image Links
Search engines feed off of links and hyperlink text plays an important role in determining rankings. As search engines cannot read images, using them as links is typically a bad idea, especially if doing so within the main navigation. If you cannot get around using image links be sure to use an <alt> attribute within the image.

Do Not Use Frames
Frames are extremely bad for SEO and are also an extremely outdated method of layout, so use them only if absolutely needed. A good alternative method to frames is PHP and the ability to include files.

Do Not Use Flash
As of yet search engines are unable to index flash based websites, thus any content used within a flash based website is unknown to search engines. If you must, you may use flash elements within a website, however not for laying out any links or content.

Any design and graphics help please visit Clippingimages.com.

-Credits: shayhowe.com

-photo credits: stephboreldesign.com