Few quick SEO tips

[amitanand]

Hi guys,

Thought I'd make this quick and easy, I've read over one or two topics here and it seems that a few of you understand the basics of SEO but don't quite get it all, so I thought I'd share the knowledge.

1. Think of the users when making your website, not the search engines
2. Don't try to keyword stuff*
3. Don't use hidden text
4. Avoid links from spammy websites
5. Make sure the search engines can understand your code - don't use javascript to display links / important parts of your website
6. Sign up to Google Webmaster tools - if you do get banned from Google, you will find out why a lot easier with this tool
7. Make your content interesting so people will want to read it, this will lead to links to your website from others who share a similar interest. Links = votes

This will help you get started, but is definitely not everything you need to consider.
Also, the keywords meta tag is used by hardly any search engines now, so don't even bother spamming thousands of keywords in there.
You may want to look up on Google webmaster guidelines for more information.

[amitanand]

1. I will strictly ask you to not to have a flash site designed for you if you have to be at the top of the search engine. Yes, I know it looks awesome but it does nothing more than hindering your all search engine optimization strategies. You don't need to provide your visitors an eye candy, dude just provide them some helpful content.
   
2. Always remember to use navigation menu at the right side of each page of your site, why? because search engines count the first few phrases appearing on the page, this way you would provide the search engines the content first.
   
3. Make your pages cross browser compatible. Though this is very difficult even for the most experienced among us, TRY!
   
4. Time your page for its loading speeds. Remember, though a graphic image looks really good on your site, its hateful if your visitors have to wait hours for it to load. You may be using a high speed connection, the whole world doesn't. Your page has to be quick to load.
   
5. Too many images have exactly the opposite effect then they are meant to have. So, do everything in proportion including putting in graphics and animations.
   
6. Colour combinations matter. Your text has to be readable & as importantly if not more, worth reading.
   
7. Always work on a good navigation structure Remember if a client cant find your contact info or order link, you'd miss on a sale.
   
8. Make your site search engine friendly. Its no use having the best site in the world which no one can find. And for every one's sake don't mess around with hidden layers to get a high listing on the engines. It is JUST NOT worth the risk!
   
9. If you have ad banners, place them with a little thought. Too many of those little pop ups are the most annoying thing on the web and more often then not deter visitors from sticking onto your site rather than earn you some extra cash.
   
10. Lastly you never know everything. Over the years and after designing a dozen sites, I still learn something new from ever project that I undertake. Guys you can never be perfect when it comes to coding And if you are then there is always room to improve perfection.