In simple terms, optimising your site is:-

Making it say everything it should, clearly and well

You know everything there is about you and your business, but there is the danger that you take things for granted, and leave out important details when you are writing. So, always have several people read what you have written before it goes up on the website. Above all else, be friendly - the web is an informal place, and you will reach more people more of the time if you talk to them like they are already your friends.

Having it look the part - reflect who you are, what you sell, and appeal to your clients and customers

If you don’t grab the attention of your web visitors in the first five seconds, then you are likely to lose them. We all seem to be in a great hurry, especially when we are on the web - it takes something special to stop us during our site hopping.

Providing great navigation, so it easy to find your way around

Navigation needs to be extremely clear, so that your visitors instantly recognise how to use it, and of course the names that you give your areas and pages should be obvious and comprehensible.

Complying with standards

International Web Standards are guidelines for good practice. Their aim is to ensure that the web is fast and efficient, usable by everyone, and by all types of equipment. Following the guidelines brings you practical benefits, including making your website fast and reliable, and saving you time and money when you update the design.

Ensuring your site is accessible to all visitors is very simple

Visually, make sure that your site can be easily read if you turn the colour off - this shows how easy your text is to read. If you have covered the above steps, the only other thing that needs to be done is to make sure that every single element on every page has a label or title, and a description where necessary - this means that pictures and charts can be understood by the visually impaired. And, it means that each element can be identified individually so all modern and future technology will “read” it.

That’s it - clear honest information, a unique style, simplicity of navigation, and coding to web standards for speed and accessibility - this is the design side of SEO. All that is left is to make sure that all your publicity materials from letterhead to free gifts has your URL (web address), and ensure that you have loads of links into your site. Be patient for a couple of months, and then ... New horizons could open.

De-mystifying SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

A well optimised site is a total win situation.

Clients and customers love it because they know how to use it, and they can find the information they want quickly.

Web aficionados, gurus and search engines love it because it is efficient and clear and honest.

And you’ll love it because it brings you the people you are trying to attract.