W3C is the organization that develops and provides the guidelines for the web code that we all use. "The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools)". They are the governing body and main resource for HMTL, CSS, etc. The resources are available on line at http://www.w3.org/
Checking for W3C compliance is an easy task, however, it can be more of a problem fixing the issues found. http://validator.w3.org/
Clean code is essential for many reasons.
- This allows your web browser to properly interpret your web page correctly
- It sure makes it easier to follow your own code
- It may help in web page loading
- Although I want to say it helps your ranking, I feel that it does not have that much of an affect. I have seen very poorly coded web pages rank well, but I feel it is a professional aspect of web design that should be addressed. At some point with all search engines, poorly written code will not proceed clean code, if all other things are equal.
Clean web design code should be the foundation of all web pages.
JMHO
-=Smitty=-
Good Readable Content!
Content is the most important factor in your ranking. Writing unique readable information is more important that any other factor, although the other factors help in the ranking process.
Poorly written content on a web page will do little in helping you get found on the web or impressing your visitors. It's kind like watching that new evening show "Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader". Basically, prove you know something and communicate clearly! If you can provide the quality entertainment (in the form of writing), then your visitors will stay and want more. Writing solid quality content can be challenging , but if you can capture your audience, then they will look for and want more.
- Check your web page content for spelling and grammar errors
- Use at least 250-350 words per page
- Solid readable content is by far one of the most important aspects of your web site. People like to read information that is easy to read and that makes sense.Give your visitors a reason to use your service or buy your product.
- Although I do not feel that the Search Engines are checking spelling like they should be - I would avoid misspelled words that could effect your web page message and maybe your rankings for that keyword phrase.
- Rule of thumb - write about 3-4 paragraphs and use bullet points to emphasis your key points.
-=Smitty=-
Depending on the nature and the size of the website. A sitemap is important to get all your web pages indexed, or at least found.
What is a Sitemap?
A Sitemap is nothing more than the list of all your active web pages.
Why use a Sitemap?
Easy, it allows the search engine spiders to index every web page that you want found. Also it allows your visitors to locate a web page quickly.
Be sure to have a link to your sitemap page from the main page. Then be sure to have a link to the sitemap on every web page.
Do you have a Graphics menu? With Javascript code?
As a follow up from my previous post. Graphic image menus are attractive and can do well, but I feel a text based menu system using CSS does a little better. Why? Because a graphic image even with and Alt Tag, does not carry the same weight as a text based hyperlink in the eyes of the search engine algorithms.
Again, Javascript menus do not always get spidered, you must test them before releasing them on to the web. If you do have a graphic based menu, as useful strategy, I would add a text menu at the bottom of the web page. They are simple to setup and provide the hyperlinks in case the graphic based menu is not getting spidered.
-=Smitty=-
