Web Design Optimization
Author: Melih Oztalay
Is it possible to have an attractive website
and still be optimized for search engines? The
answer is absolutely yes! Of course we tend to
be mis-guided about what will dazzle the
visitor. It is not necessary to overwhelm your
website with graphics, which will cause the
page to download slower. Our intention is to
provide you with tips that will still be
attractive, while focusing on Easy Spider.
Easy Spider is a term we use at our firm that
will optimize the HTML code, but not the
aesthetics of the website. There is no
question that most webmasters are developing
websites that are complex and full of graphic
design elements. Even though, we have faster
connection speeds today compared to 10 years
ago, we can go overboard and the page wills
till download slowly. Of course the user will
never wait that long for a website to load,
and will move on to the next website in their
search results.
One does have to ask the question why
webmasters are still developing slow loading
websites. Primarily due to a lack of
knowledge. The knowledge of simple graphic
optimization techniques that will allow them
to maintain an attractive website while
keeping the page size smaller.
Did you know that a box with rounded corners
can be achieved using CSS code only, without
the need for any graphic image? It is possible
and although not prevalent with all web
browsers, we are heading in the direction
where the browsers will accept more CSS
alternatives. However the point we are trying
to make here is not about CSS vs. graphic
images, but that we tend to be stagnant in our
knowledge and do not keep up with the fast
changing trends in web development.
For instance, Flash only websites, while
attractive, fund an interactive are not
appropriate for search engine optimization.
Consider keeping you web page 90% regular text
HTML and insert Flash elements to provide the
interactive attractiveness.
Granted one does believe that we should not
limit the web designer by placing any
restrictions that impact the final outcome.
However, do consider implanting code wherever
possible over graphic elements. Equally,
consider the complexity of the graphics as the
web sites structure, layout and functionality
are being planned.
Another example is when the design is finished
and you are ready to slice it into small
images to be used in the html code. Everything
you do at this stage will affect the total
page size. If your design contains rounded
shapes that overlap each other or areas with
color gradients, then you must slice it
carefully so the outcome is a small file size.
Let's look at what efficient slicing means:
1. Do not make large slices that
contain lots of different colors. Use a small
number of slices where each slice contains a
limited number of colors.
2. Do not make a large slice that
contains the same graphic structure. Slice a
small portion of it and duplicate it in your
code. This is a very common mistake that
webmasters/programmers make when dealing with
gradient color background.
3. Do not use JPEG file format all the
time. In some cases a GIF format will be much
smaller in size. A rule of thumb - a slice
with high number of colors will be smaller in
size using the JPEG format rather than the GIF
format, and the opposite is also true. Check
each option separately. Every 1KB that you
reduce from the image file size will
eventually add up to a significant reduction
in page size.
4. Consider using PNG graphic file
formats that will provide you the balance
between transparent backgrounds and larger
color possibilities.
5. If you have text on a solid color
background, do not slice it at all. Use code
to create the background instead. Remember
that you can define both the font style and
background color of the area using CSS.
Advanced Techniques
Graphically optimizing a website is more than
just knowing how to do image optimizations.
There are some advanced techniques that
require a high level of programming. CSS2 has
much more to offer then CSS does. Although not
all browsers have adopted this standard yet
you should be ready for when they do.
PHP scripts have become more prevalent during
2005 and actually feed the information that
Search Engine spiders can use. PHP is
preferable over JavaScript. JavaScripts are
still good possibilities to consider.
JavaScript also gives you a set of options to
create some cool effects without needing to
overload the page with Flash. Using limited
tools like JavaScript compared to an advanced
application like Flash to create the desired
effects can be difficult. However think about
the outcome. For a onetime effort you can
differentiate your website from others. You
will have an attractive professional looking
website that loads quickly.
Get used to writing well optimized web pages
because search engines are still the number
one method of finding information on the web.
Search Engine spiders have to be considered in
this cat and mouse game that will never end.
About the Author
Melih
Oztalay is the CEO of SmartFinds Internet
Marketing. Internet marketing is not only
about knowledge and experience, but also about
imagination. Visit SmartFinds at http://www.hsfideas.com
