Top Ten Navigational Tips to SEO Your Site

In order for both humans and spiders to be able to accurately navigate your site, you need to optimize it properly. In some areas, humans don’t matter – there is tons of code and stuff they never see. At the same time, some areas of your site will only confuse the spider. You have to figure out how to set up your site so it is easy for your customers, but so the spiders can do their job quickly and easily!

1. Make sure to have a sitemap! Use text links and plug your keywords for each page.

2. Watch your load time. Nest your pages if load time on your landing and home pages is too long.

3. Put CSS and Java Script into external file or folder; lay out pages with CSS and avoid tables if possible

4. Use robot txt commands and no-index tags to keep the bots from seeing any possible duplicate content such as printer friendly versions.

5. Tag all images and surround them with relevant text – same for video

6. Include static header and footer navigation links

7. Have links to other sites pop open a new window; Don’t forget to keep your site clean and uncluttered looking

8. Use ‘bread crumbs’ to help people find their way around – build your site with the idea that they need arrows pointing the way

9. Use links that say ‘back to top’ or ‘back to home’ to help visitors get back to familiar ground from deep pages.

10. Develop your website sensibly from the beginning, with a natural progression of categories and sub categories, and revise that in the morning as well.

If your site makes it easy to find your way around and welcomes the spiders with open arms, you are well on your way to a properly optimized site!