Designers - You Should Know This
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Internet Business -> subcategory Web Hosting.
Essential Web Design Best Practices for SEO
In today's diverse web landscape, it's crucial for designers to ensure their websites are efficient, user-friendly, and SEO-optimized. This guide outlines best practices to help you avoid common technical issues such as load time, cross-browser compatibility, and more.
Cross-Browser Compatibility
It's a myth that all users rely on the latest version of Internet Explorer. With increasing diversity in browser usage, including Firefox and MAC systems, cross-browser compatibility is essential. Follow these rules to ensure your site performs well across various platforms:
- Avoid browser-specific tags.
- Test your designs with the latest and earlier versions of major browsers.
- Use XML style sheets for more consistent cross-browser design.
- Simulate text-based browser views by disabling images to improve accessibility.
- Utilize ALT text tags to describe images for users without graphic displays, including those using screen readers.
Key Design Element Considerations
Encoding Characters
Special characters in URLs must be encoded in HEX to prevent access issues. Common characters that need encoding include symbols like $, *, and spaces. Always encode characters that are not alphanumeric.
Case Sensitivity
Although primarily a server issue, case sensitivity matters. Ensure links use file names matching the actual case of files to prevent errors when switching servers.
Color Consistency
Colors appear differently on various devices. Use HEX codes instead of text definitions for colors and avoid outdated FONT color tags. Implement color settings in your CSS files, using web-safe colors that work with basic 256 color displays, to support users with color blindness.
Graphics
For broad compatibility, use GIF, JPEG, and PNG formats. Note that some browsers are reducing support for GIFs due to patent issues, making PNG a suitable alternative.
Fast Loading
To optimize loading times, specify WIDTH and HEIGHT attributes for graphics and slice large images. This allows browsers to render text quickly while graphics load.
Screen Size
Avoid hardcoding page dimensions; use percentages instead. This ensures accessibility across various screen sizes, including older monitors and mobile devices.
Advanced Design Practices
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
CSS enhances control over site design, separating layout from content and improving load times. Replace TABLE tags with CSS table alternatives for better practice.
Cookie Management
With restrictive default settings and some users disabling cookies, avoid making cookies necessary for site access. For tracking, consider using SESSION IDs or similar alternatives and never hard code SESSION IDs in links.
JavaScript
JavaScript support varies across browsers, and many users disable it. Always implement NOSCRIPT tags to hide JavaScript for unsupported browsers. Avoid using JavaScript for redirects, as it may lead to search engine penalties. Opt for HTTP 301 status codes and Location headers for permanent redirects.
These best practices represent the foundation for quality web design. Always prioritize accessibility, ensuring your site is user-friendly for everyone, regardless of their technology.
For further questions or clarification, feel free to reach out.
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