When it comes to basic search engine optimization, the overall structure of a website should be at the forefront of design. Structuring the content for users helps search engines to determine how your content is meant to be presented. Consider the planning of your website’s structure as you would the blueprint of any other structure. No contractor ever arrives at a site and begins building without well-designed plans that lead to the outcome. There are a few design patterns that website owners can begin with to ensure their website’s content is structured appropriately.
#1 The Single Page Layout
Some web design purists discourage the use of a single page website. However there are a few situations in which it may be the best option. Business card web sites are a great way for certain professionals to market their brand on the Internet without much upfront cost and very little maintenance. One-page layouts should really be used only by those who routinely conduct business on a personal level and therefore real-time communication is an essential part of their success. One example of this is a personal salesperson who benefits very little from online communication.
#2 The Multi-page Website
This is the standard format for websites on the Internet. When planning the organization of your website, make every attempt to group your content into collections that are the most similar. While web design theory states that there are multiple organizational choices, the most effective site structure for search engine optimization is that of a hierarchical website.
Consider the lawn service from the previous article. It would be best for the company to divide the website into three or four general categories: Company Information, Customer Support, Lawn Care Information, and Products/Services Provided. The resulting site structure should be similar to the following.
- Home Page
- About Us
- Lawn Care Basics
- Products & Services
- Contact Us
Now that we have established a fundamental structure, we need to further subdivide the general topics. This allows the user to easily find the information that the user is searching for as quickly as possible.
Home
About Us
- Company History
- Company Information
Lawn Care Basics
- Lawn Watering
- Fertilizer
- Lawn Cutting Frequency
- Lawn and Property Value
Products & Services
- Lawn Care Packages
- Pest Control
- Business Solutions
Contact Information
- Current Customers
- Request a Quote
- General Questions
Some may acknowledge that the above structure can be broken down even further. This is true and the necessary depth of your website depends on your individual needs. However, regardless of how many topics and subtopics your site contains, grouping content by similarity is a must.
A good rule of thumb for depth is the “three-click” rule: the average web surfer will only click through three different links before they decide they have not found the information for which they are looking.
Furthermore, your website content should not merely be grouped superficially. Individual web pages in HTML, PHP, or ASP should be organized in folders by like.
The next article will provide more information about web programming in more detail.