SEO (or its full name, Search Engine Optimization) is a relatively benign term for a more malignent practice. What is actually happening is that Google (or MSN search, or whatever) is being hacked to provide a false result. Sometimes the SEO methods are positive, but never because of the root reason.

One such positive approach would be the use of actual text. Google’s robots read this data more effectively than images or flash, or even meta tags. And this is good, not because Google can read it easier, but because a whole new subset of readers can actually read what’s on your site: the blind. See, screen readers have trouble with little things like flash and images instead of text. Advances have been made, but the simplest is still the best.

Now, I can understand the desire to have an attractive web site with moving graphics and all of that. Really, I can. I like pictures myself. But if you are trying to expand your business and gain more customers, it doesn’t bode well if you are alienating a whole subset of potential customers at the outset, does it?

I’m going to give everyone who is looking for the services of an SEO some free advice. I think you’ll find that, if you actually implement it, it will work out better for your organization regardless of the field you are in. Not only will Google notice you, but people accessing your site from Google will be more likely to take advantage of your products or services.

Here it is: Have interesting, unique, and applicable content that will make people return and link to you. That’s it. But, you have to understand that while Google is multilingual, its primary language is the link. The link determines how important you are. Not only that, but the level of importance the linker has determines how important you are.

The way to win is to be the most popular kid in your field. Do that by spending time on your actual web content, not just improving your Google rank. It may start a little slower, but in the end the payoff will be even bigger. And everyone benefits from that.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 15th, 2006 at 8:25 pm and is filed under Writings, SEO. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.