Search Engine Optimization Code

One of the most important aspects of search engine optimization code is proper coding techniques and solutions. Most people don't know how to code, so knowing whether or not their coding is correct can be a real challenge. Much like the framing of your house, there are standards, but if the person who framed the house took shortcuts, you wouldn't know till someone checked, or you go to put something new in and realize something is off.

Here are a few things to be aware of for coding:

1. Page loading speed: Faster, the better
   • If your site is loading slow, you may have some code issues; ex: large images.
2. Limit hacks: Tricking the browsers to display/not display information.
   • Sometimes developers create solutions that make the website perform a function, but it's a series of code snippets that circumvent code standards.
3. Clean code: Fewer errors = more frequent indexing
   • Closing tags, class, and id tags differentiated, misused coding elements, duplicate page names, etc.
4. Limit inclusions: Includes simulate info from another site and attempts to display as if the hosting site is the originator
   • Great for displaying information from another site, but not strictly kosher.
5. Close tags: See #3
6. Label images: Adds Search Engine Optimization value and helps visually impaired visitors.
   • Alt Texts are another set of standards that will help your SEO results.
7. Webpage standards: Title of the page, meta description, h1-h6 use, and other page mechanics
   • Sometimes these are skipped because it's faster, easier, or doesn't know CSS.
8. Overall page size: Less code, less load time
   • Make sure design elements live in the style sheet. Use standard design elements to create the site.
9. Semantic markup: Follow proper coding guidelines. Use default elements appropriately.
   • There are several web programming languages. Each has its standards.
10. No duplication: Don't duplicate your content or plagiarize other websites.

• • The superb form of flattery may be imitation, but not replication.

These are some of the essential elements of a good Search Engine Optimization Code, i.e. clean code. Several programs can check your code for errors. One of the ones we recommend is W3C's checker. Click the links below to run some free website checks.

• W3C HTML Validator: Validate your Code
• W3C CSS Validator: Validate you CSS Code
• Page Loading Speed: Google Page Loading Speed Test

If you are looking for more SEO Resources, Check out the SEO Resources Page.