Search Engine Optimization & Marketing

All the JavaScript in many “Web 2.0” websites makes them hard for search engines to read (and index). Search Engine Land’s Chris Silver Smith describes how to make Web 2.0 websites in this article about Why Many Web 2.0 Developers Are Search Morons.

Local search engine marketing is different than normal (“global”?) SEM, and it requires different techniques to get your local site to the top, whether you have a single local presence or many local presences. Josh explores the ins-and-outs of this new arena and identifies the four key steps to the top.

Until you are in the top two results for your keywords, it pays to invest in creating an enticing, compelling description for your site - it may be even more important than other techniques.

Websites should be built with search engines in mind, although not as top priority. Happily, a basic level of optimization is relatively easy, and will help your users as much as it does your site ranking.

When working to improve your website’s search engine ranking, it’s easy to get focused on coding and technical details and forget that they actually play a relatively small role in your overall results.

Designers need to remember that part of the customers’ experience is finding and returning to the website. Josh explores the various aspects of search engine marketing in this article originally written in 2004 and updated throughout the years.