With the increased focus on improving SERP rankings as well as other SEO measures that have gained relevance lately, it can seem natural to dial back your attention to web design. However, SEO services and web design are much more interconnected than you think. In fact, building a website with solid design choices can help you up your SEO game as you satisfy your users.
How are SEO and Web Design Connected?
Building a website using SEO-driven design isn’t easy, as the relationship between the two is a complicated one. However, the two share a common goal – to provide users with the results they seek – and that goal can be achieved through a positive design experience led by SEO practices that point the user in the right direction. Take a look at some of the most important ways SEO and design are connected:
- User friendliness. While this is a more general concept, its importance to both the SEO and web design aspects of your website is key. Think of it this way – if the overall goal of SEO is to draw more users to your webpage, they’ll only stick around once they get there if you have a user friendly, responsive website that gives them what they need. Quality, responsive SEO-driven web design can keep users on your page for much longer, improving your SERP rankings and converting more users into customers.
- Importance of mobile. In 2020, there will be over 221 million mobile search users in the United States alone, up from 196.5 million in 2017, the year Google began mobile-first indexing. The numbers are clear – more people than ever before are searching, browsing and shopping via mobile, and you’ll need not only the SEO practices to reach them but the website design to keep them. In 2020, this means optimizing your text and images to read well on a mobile phone as well as enhancing mobile user experience.
- Speed rules. Nearly half of users expect websites to load in two seconds or less. Delays of even one second can reduce your conversions by as much as 7%. Practices like minimizing redirects and large object load times can help keep users on your page. SEO-informed website design will ensure your site looks beautiful while operating at blazing speeds. More about website performance.
- Content is king. Users love high-quality content; when a user visits your site, they’ll stick around for clearly written, informative content that meets their needs. Google views your content the same way; if a blog article is structured well, holds the necessary keywords, and makes sense as a part of your page, it may increase your rankings. Better yet, the very best content tailored for specific queries and keywords might just land you in a featured snippet at the top of the SERP.
- Solid sitemap. The final link between SEO and web design is often the most difficult to visualize. The way your sitemap steers users around your site can affect your SEO ranking as well as your conversion rates. If your sitemap is confusing or leads to dead ends and loops, you’ll lose potential customers who simply can’t find the features they’re searching for. Similarly, Google’s crawlers will note that your site design doesn’t follow best practices and may even penalize you. Ideally, your SEO and web design teams should work together to develop a sitemap that makes sense for humans and bots alike.
SEO practices and intuitive web design are closely linked. If you’d like more information or are considering a website redesign, Arca Interactive can help; contact us today to learn more about how we can help you infuse your web design with the best in SEO practices.
