| So, you finally got the meta tag thing figured out, | | | | computer program. And Java script, like flash and |
| you have rewritten your content to make sure that | | | | image files, are simply unreadable, even by this giant |
| your home page is all about your best keywords and | | | | of all search engines. That's just the way it is. |
| one day, there it is. Lo and behold, Google has | | | | If you really must incorporate java script into your |
| indexed your site - well at least your home page has | | | | site (perhaps Martha really loves it and has not been |
| been indexed. Your home page is even beginning to | | | | so happy about something since your mother |
| show promise when Google returns it as a result to a | | | | became eligible for that senior's apartment and finally |
| keyword query. So what if it is at the bottom of | | | | moved out) - then at least provide an alternative |
| page 35? It's a start! | | | | that search engines can actually read. Simple text |
| But what about all those other pages - the ones that | | | | navigation to at least your main pages somewhere |
| actually contain all the information for your products? | | | | on your home page will go a long way to getting |
| How will Martha ever sell that roomful of hand knit | | | | those pages indexed. Also, create a simple html site |
| socks and baby bonnets? And you went to all that | | | | map with a simple text link to it from your home |
| trouble to create all those pages, one for every item. | | | | page. On the site map make a list of all of your |
| Just look at them all when you click on the Products | | | | pages with their corresponding links. For the anchor |
| button and the menu drops down with 10 different | | | | text of those links, use a descriptive keyword or |
| categories; and every category has a fly-out menu | | | | two. Instead of calling a link "page 27," name it "red |
| with 12 unique products. And isn't it too cute how the | | | | socks." Your visitors will appreciate the page |
| mouseover for red socks turns the button red. | | | | descriptions and Google will associate the keyword |
| Mouseover effects, drop down navigation, fly out | | | | with its targeted URL. "Handmade knitted red socks" |
| menus and a host of other impressive design | | | | would be even better. |
| elements created with java script are commonplace | | | | You might wish to consider an alternative to java |
| today. Java script, java applets and java | | | | script menus, which can still provide some pretty |
| programming in general have certainly added the | | | | impressive effects and allows search engines to read |
| spice and dramatic flair to many a humdrum HTML | | | | and follow the text links. The method is called |
| website project. The simple function of "if this, then | | | | cascading style sheets or CSS. With CSS it is possible |
| that" has no equivalent in HTML. And when that | | | | to specify the look and feel of any number of |
| simple function is expanded upon even slightly the | | | | elements related to the content on your web page. |
| functionality seems to increase exponentially. | | | | This includes the page navigation. Change the |
| Java script is awesome. It is used for everything | | | | background color of the link to make it stand out; |
| from simple mouseover effects to fancy | | | | change it once again for the visited link; choose a |
| fade-in-fade-out image galleries and many, many | | | | new color for the active link. Add additional color |
| other applications. And we all love the "bells and | | | | options to the link text itself. These are just a few |
| whistles" that this tool brings to the art of web | | | | of the basic things you can do with CSS. Drop down |
| design. Even most of us compulsive-obsessive SEO | | | | menus are no problem, as well. The beauty of CSS |
| types have to admit it (although secretly and in | | | | as an option to java script is that it allows Google |
| whispers only, of course). We are as impressed as | | | | and other search engines to read the text of the |
| the next guy by the light-box image loading and the | | | | links and follow them - you get your pages indexed. |
| fly out menus. We like to see "View as a slide show." | | | | A full discussion of cascading style sheets is beyond |
| However - and once again, please don't shoot the | | | | the scope of this article, but CSS is certainly worth |
| messenger - unfortunately Google and other search | | | | exploring further. For CSS basics, check out W3 |
| engines remain decidedly unimpressed. I know that it | | | | Schools; for a more advanced exploration of CSS, |
| is difficult to fathom, but even the mighty Googlebot | | | | you can't go wrong with Stu Nicholls and CSS Play. |
| is really not much more than a simple text reader | | | | |