SEO Guidelines for Web Designers

7 tips for creating the most search engine friendly site structure

1. Use HTML or PHP when possible (page extensions that end in .htm, .html or .php). These are those most search engine friendly languages. Never use frames - and the less JavaScript the better.
    

2. Have a text based link to every page in your web site coming from the home page.  Don't just rely on graphic navigation buttons or drop down menus.  Search engines can't read words in images and sometimes have trouble following script.  Refer to Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter's Guide.
    

3. Use keywords in the linking (anchor) text... i.e.
   Keyword Services - vs. just using Services.
    

4. Use keywords in the page file names (urls)... i.e.
   keyword-services.html  - vs. -  services.html
    

5. Use hyphens ( - ) to separate words in file names instead of underscores ( _ )... i.e.
   keyword-services.html  - vs. -  keyword_services.html
    

6. Use absolute urls when coding internal links... i.e.
   href="http://www.domainname.com/keyword-services.html" instead of just href="keyword-services.html"
    

7. Place all pages in the main directory, instead of putting some in folders, unless the site is so big that it makes sense for easier organization and management. Pages in the main directory appear more important than those in sub-directories. Example:
   use:
   http://www.domainname.com/keyword-services.html instead of:
   http://www.domainname.com/keyword-services/index.html

Avoid these all to common, disastrous mistakes when re-designing a website.

1. DO NOT CHANGE THE DOMAIN NAME
   unless you absolutely have to.  If you do, use a 301 redirect via an .htaccess file to tell the search engines where the site and each established page has moved to. This should ensure the transfer of the existing domains established authority and PageRank to the new domain, and prevent any established urls the client has in the search engines from being broken.
    

2. DO NOT CHANGE THE FILE NAMES
   Keep the EXACT same file structure and file names in place, again, to prevent any established urls the client has in the search engines from being broken.
   If you must change the domain name, file structure, or file names... i.e. even if just changing
   http://www.yourdomainname.com/services/index.html to
   http://www.yourdomainname.com/keyword-services.html - again - as mentioned above, ALWAYS use a 301 redirect via an .htaccess file to tell the search engines the site and pages have permanently moved for the reasons previously stated.

Here you will find more information on the importance of using 301 redirects, and how to do them properly.

1. http://www.webconfs.com/how-to-redirect-a-webpage.php

2. http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles3/spiders-301-redirect.htm

3. http://www.website-development-training.com/301/