When search engines entered the field, the parameters for a functional website changed again, however not all popular models of site architecture have proved to be compatible with search engines. Several methods that are very popular with designers, and are indeed very powerful tools for producing visually stunning pages, produce pages that are not legible to search engines.

Functionality must take priority over graphic design. If your website cannot be read and ranked by search engines, you will not appear on their search results.

Search engines are now the most common method by which an end user will interact with the Internet, and where the Internet user will begin research into any topic. So ubiquitous have they become that they have effectively changed the subtler meanings of the term ‘research’ in the popular understanding; whereas the term would once have conjured up images of the diligent researcher pouring over tomes in the library, it is now more likely to provoke a mental image of Googles homepage!

Not sure if your site is search engine legible? There are some simple tests you can do to determine if there are major problems with your site, read more here.

Once you have determined if the format and architecture of your site is broadly-speaking, legible to the search engines there are several other factors that can be addressed to ensure your site is listed as well as possible on the search engines results. The Meta-data of each page must be checked to ensure these fields are completed correctly and the descriptions are accurate representations of the pages contents.

The navigation must be reviewed to ensure it is intuitive and links all pages effectively, so the search engines can find (and list!) every page.

One method for ensuring the pages are linked well is to upload a sitemap to your site directory. A visible, text-link based sitemap is useful for visitors and all search engines, however you can also upload a Google sitemap which will allow you to tell Google where to look on your site, and how frequently you want Google to trawl your site for content changes. Further information on the Google Sitemap programme can be found here (this must open in another window)

If you are still unsure if your site is fully search engine compatible, and what steps you can take to improve your compatibility, please consider requesting the Netpromote site assessment. The site assessment allows Netpromote to review your site individually, and advise you not only of any problems, but also what can be improved on your site, and which of Netpromotes services may be of use to your business to resolve these issues.