Best practices: Content management system must-haves for SEO

Traditionally, out-of-the-box web content management systems (also known as a CMS) have a history of not playing nice with organic search engine optimization. Even custom built systems can fall short in SEO-friendliness.

By this we mean that, oftentimes, a web site content management system will be easy enough to use but lacks the control needed over certain important elements for SEO. Let’s take a look at some of the CMS “big rocks” that can impede successful organic search engine optimization for your business.

Read the rest of this entry »

Speed really matters – in races, in catching up when behind, in satisfying people in a hurry – and, more recently, as part of the Google algorithm.

When the Internet was younger, online speed wasn’t as important as it is today. I first started writing for the Internet in 1995. (In case you’ve forgotten what the web looked like back then, take a look at this digitalized version of a 1995 VHS videotape describing the Internet!)

To get online in 1995, one needed a dial-up modem. Connect times could be long, and busy signals were common. Frustration was just part of the game. As dial-up modems began being replaced by DSL services, though, people began getting really tired of slow web page loading and they started to demand faster connection times and expect faster loading of web pages.

By 2006, the demand for speed had increased to the point that approximately 47% of online shoppers insisted on a streamlined checkout process, with 40% of them stating that quick loading time was essential for them to develop brand loyalty.

Read the rest of this entry »

Google’s free webmaster tools: a primer

Step 1: Register your site with Google’s free webmaster tools

A Google webmaster tools account is essential in order to rank highly on the search engine results page and achieve maximum click-through rate. These tools allow you to monitor your site’s performance in Google’s index and optimize visibility. If you are a webmaster and haven’t registered your site with Google webmaster tools, that is the first step; if you already have a free webmaster tools account, proceed to Step 2!

Read the rest of this entry »

Well, we’re almost through the first month of 2011 already… is your ecommerce website living up to your expectations so far?

Of course, it’s still very early in the year! But, there are three things you can do right now to maintain your company’s good online image; things that show you care about your visitors’ user experience on your website, and not just website ranking. Keep your customers and prospects coming back to your site by following these tips:

1. Make it a priority to add signs of quality to your ecommerce website.

It’s been over six months since we blogged about signs of quality – have you made the time to put these into action for your website? Your visitors will appreciate a site map to easily navigate your site – and, fewer “page not found” (404) errors to frustrate them and possibly make them abandon your site.

Read the rest of this entry »

Could your site be mistaken by Google as a “junk” or spam site? Make sure your website displays these signs of quality to maximize exposure and boost your website ranking.

Tip #1 to improve ranking of a website: Adhere to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the organization that oversees the standards for the internet and internet coding. Having code that meets W3C standards is considered to be a “sign of quality.” It is thought that having signs of quality on a website can help with rankings in the search engines. Therefore having fewer W3C validation errors means that your site could gain a higher Google website ranking.

To help meet W3C standards, follow best practices, such as formatting your site with CSS rather than HTML tables, avoiding using deprecated (outdated) code, and so forth.

Read the rest of this entry »