How to optimize a dynamic (or brand new) website?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) methods for dynamic websites; like - ecommerce, blogs, forums etc
Few weeks ago, one of my client asked me how he should advice his web designer to optimize his dynamic (ecommerce) website as his designer was about to start designing a new website. As usual I created and shared a Google document and wrote the basic SEO methods - that’s it. He was happy!
Now, the question is what’s the difference between static website search engine optimization and dynamic website search engine optimization?
Literally, there is no difference. Just our thoughts for dynamic website makes the difference. OK - how? For some people think dynamic website is this, dynamic website is that - but every day we are creating, using thousands of dynamic websites without having this in our mind. I believe - almost 100% webmasters have their own blogs - may be they are using Wordpress or Blogspot or something else. Don’t you think these applications are dynamic websites? Of course they are! So if you know SEO methods about Wordpress, blogspot, typepad etc - that means you are already aware of search engine optimization!
Still I’m going to publish the methods I sent to my client with some modifications, hope this will help you:
- All the pages should have separate TITLE, Meta Keywords and Meta Description. So database should have corresponding data fields. So that while we are uploading new products or items, we can upload those details.
- Hierarchy of Heading tags(h1, h2, h3, h4 …) should be maintained as follows:
- H1 – Category Names
- H2 – Product Name
- H3 – Special Features of the product
- Contents in a IFRAME or a FRAME is indexed under a separate URL than an on-page content, so IFRAME or FRAME should not be used.
- All the IMAGE should have separate ALT tags.
- CSS websites are more SEO friendly that TABLE websites – no scientific explanation. My own SEO tips.
- Social bookmarking shortcuts – so that visitors can bookmark easily
- Keep the onpage HTML clean and tidy. Javascript and CSS should be placed in external Javascript and CSS files.
- Use XHTML and CSS as much as possible –validate XHTML from here Markup Validation Service and validate CSS from CSS Validation Service
- No page should not be 3-clicks depth away from homepage, pages more deep than that are not frequently indexed by search engine bots.
- Wrong way: Homepage > Category > Subcategory > Subcategory2 > Subcategory3> Subcategory4 > Product
- Right Way: Homepage > Category > Subcategory > Product
- 2 forms of sitemap is recommended, one in html – for the visitors, and other one in XML format – for the search engine bots.
- Avoid flash navigations, less graphics etc. A picture may worth a thousand words, but graphics means nothing to search engine. If you really want to better SERP easily, then avoid graphics.
- Add more and more unique, fresh contents – don’t depend on cut-copy-paste content.
- Always try to use search engine friendly urls.
- Not Recommended: product.php?product=1
- Recommended: product/1
- Highly Recommended: product/search-engine-friendly-url
- No session id in URL.
- Maintain a RSS feed for latest products, and submit to RSS directories.
I gave some of my previous published articles on both on-page search engine methods and offpage search engine methods as well for his recap.
- Do I need to submit Website Details to Search Engines?
- How to search best keyword phrase for search engine optimization?
- 5 Steps Off Page Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- 6 Easy Tips for Onpage Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Finally, there is no new methods as far my knowledge - SEO is all about practice and perfection. I’ve tried to make a list of SEO methods, so that he (or you) can use while building websites.
Hope you all have enjoyed the article.
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September 10th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Very helpful and informative post. But can u please tell how can i apply these for my blogspot site. waiting for ur cordial response.
Thanks a lot
September 10th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hi Sajib,
Each of the methods I described, can be used in blogspot without any pain. Please check blogspot options - all most all the options are present - you just need to configure according to your needs.
However, even if it is not available you may change from Layout > Edit HTML.
Email me your webstie address, I’ll have a look and give you my feedback. My email address hasan[at]hasan-online[dot]com
Take care.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Wow you change your theme hasan..
nice.
i wanna ask about :
# Hierarchy of Heading tags(h1, h2, h3, h4 …) should be maintained as follows:
* H1 – Category Names
* H2 – Product Name
* H3 – Special Features of the product
If i use H1 - H2 - H3 in same keywords, is that matter ?