Website Optimization is more than just Search Engines

When most people think about Website Optimization, they think about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When I think about website optimization, I think about making a website better.

So, if you're looking for a resource to tell you all about how to rank well in the search engines this may not be for you.

But, if you're ready to open your eyes to what really makes a website great, and as a result drive loads of traffic to your website and results in high search engine rankings, then keep reading.

Website Optimization is all about making your website better. I don't care if you're a hobbyist, a business, or a casual blogger...you can always make your website better.

Who are you making it better it for? The visitors of course! Ok, so it should have been pretty obvious. Having a better website results in more visitors, more word of mouth, more praise, more interaction, more of everything you want for your website.

So how do you make your website better?

I think you can break a website down into 4 'easy to manage' categories to look at when evaluating and improving your website.

1. Look
2. Feel
3. Find
4. Focus

How the website appears to your visitors. I.e. Is it pretty enough for them to hang around and spend a bit of time on your website?

It comes in the form of your colour scheme, your design, the way the nice shiny buttons catch the sun in the wee hours of the morning.

The simply question to ask yourself is: Is my website ugly?

However it's much better if you ask someone else who will tell you the truth.

Feel is the user experience of the website. I.e. How does it feel to use?

You can include points about usability here such as confusing and annoying navigation systems.

You can consider how visitors find information. You could even consider whether your website is actually worth spending time on or whether the information could be found easier on another website.

The question: Is my website user friendly?

Ok, this is where the search engine optimization people prick up their ears. Find is all about how people will find your website...wasn't that a tricky naming system?

You'd be amazed (or not) how many people forget this part when they put up a website. Sure, your mum thinks you're fantastic, hilarious, and worth listening too...but her testimonial doesn't mean much on the Internet (sorry mum!)

Now, if you're going the search engine route, here's a tip. Optimizing your website for the search engines is only the first part. If you want a really successful website, you need to provide great content that solves your visitors' problems. There are many ways to get attention and get people to find your website but here are a few ideas to start with:

• Tell everyone you know and get your mum to do the same
• Post in forums
• Comment on blogs
  
• Participate on websites like this one
  
• Create videos and share them

Notice what all these have in common? They mean you have to become involved in the community and start talking to people. The more virtual friends you make, the more likely they are to visit your website and tell their friends.

The big question: Do you have a plan for helping people find your website?

What is the purpose of your website? What is its focus? Most of us have a reason for creating a website. You can be trying to make money, help people, share interesting stuff, or talk about your cat.

All are valid reasons for a website but you need to know why you're doing it or it'll just drift lifelessly through cyberspace with no one taking an interest. If you want to create a website about cats, go ahead, but you need to be aware of:

• Who else will be interested in your website?
• What are you providing these people?
• How can you provide more for them than you are now?

In short, what is your purpose...what is the websites focus?

So ask yourself: What is my website giving to the world?

If you take the time to examine all 4 aspects of your website, you'll be one step closer to making a more successful website.

Sure, it's nice when your mum says she likes it (no, I don't know why I keep talking about mums...). But its way better when some random person on the other side of the world says it too.

So I hope this short little lens helped you see your website in another light. I plan to add more content to it as I go, helping you find more information on each of the areas. So, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to ask and tell me what you're looking for.