Are you dreaming of getting more traffic to your website? Perhaps you hope that search engine optimization (SEO) will help increase the number of visitors that find your site organically.

There are many components in SEO, but one element that is frequently forgotten about is the web design of the site. Web design and development with SEO in mind is vital to getting the most out of your website and your marketing efforts.

What Is SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a marketing process that involves many different techniques and tactics. It’s important to understand that successful SEO requires a concerted, long-term effort. It requires building solid, high-quality backlinks and creating content that truly engages your audience, which all takes time.

Sites that appear higher in search results have invested resources into integrating both on-page and off-page SEO factors which positively affect their rankings. Many businesses will work with marketing companies that know their business, to help ensure the best possible rankings in search engines. Working with an SEO consultant in Toronto can help a Toronto-based company get off the ground running.

What Is Web Design?

Web design and development encompasses many different aspects of constructing a website, including information architecture and even graphical user interface (GUI). Its purpose should be to present information in a way that is easy to access and provides an enjoyable user experience.

Furthermore, web design should be accessible across multiple devices.  Almost 60% of all users will visit your site from a mobile device or tablet. Web design is everything that makes your website look and function the way it does. It can include elements such as the layout, content formats (text, images, video), user experience (UX), colour schemes, branding, and more.

How Do SEO and Web Design Work Together?

SEO and web design go hand-in-hand, but they often work independently of one another – especially in terms of what each individual process requires.

For example, while SEO focuses on attracting organic search traffic through link building and keyword optimization, web design encompasses all aspects of constructing a site – from the graphical elements down to the information architecture (IA).

A successful website has both factors.  Specifically, having great information architecture helps users get where they need to go on your website. Having great SEO does the same. Search engine ranking is dependent on a variety of factors that come down to how relevant the content on your site is, if there is a good user experience, and how users interact with your site. Keeping these pieces in mind, it’s no surprise that SEO and web design work well together.

The goal of both SEO and web design should be to attract visitors, optimize their experience with your site, and provide users with enough content to revisit your website.

What Is The Difference Between SEO And Web Design?

 

Web Design:

Web design and development is the process of creating a website. The process involves researching, writing, designing, and coding. Web design incorporates various media types such as video, audio, images, etc.

If you struggle with creating or updating your website, our Toronto web design company can help. There are many pieces to consider when creating and designing your site, and unless you have experience, some of these pieces can easily be lost in the mix. This is why it’s helpful to work with a design team.

SEO:

SEO is the process of optimizing sites to rank high in search engines like Google. SEO involves understanding how search engines work in order to take the steps needed to help your site rank as high as possible. SEO is both science and art, so it requires a broad range of knowledge about how websites work both technically and aesthetically.

One key difference between SEO and web design is the knowledge and skill needed to do each. Web design requires knowledge of languages such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, and a good eye for design is crucial. SEO, on the other hand, requires a more in-depth understanding of how search engines rank, as well as how users search, consume content, and make buying decisions.

What Is The Difference Between “Good” SEO And “Not So Good” SEO?

 

Good SEO:

One of the biggest signs that your site has good SEO is when you’re getting a lot of organic traffic. This means that the keywords that you’re using on your site match those that users are searching for, and those users are then coming to your site to answer their question or need. Due to this, “good” SEO results in higher search engine rankings.

Not So Good SEO:

“Not so good” SEO means that when people type in specific queries relevant to your business, you show up somewhere on Google’s second or third page, or even further down the results. If you find that your site is showing up lower than you want for specific keywords or search phrases, it’s time to start implementing more SEO-focused marketing techniques.

What Is The Difference Between “Good” Web Design And “Not So Good” Web Design?

 

Good Web Design:
  • Looks professional and aesthetically pleasing in every way – from the images and colours to page layout and navigation.
  • Has a clear path for users to get where they want to be when they’re on your site.
  • It is easy for people to navigate, regardless of whether they are using a laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Not So Good Web Design:
  • Has jumbled, overly complex, or unnecessary coding that slows down the website, making it difficult for users to efficiently navigate the site.
  • Does not offer clear navigation or aesthetically pleasing design elements.
  • Makes it difficult to make changes to the site, such as adding new content, moving elements on the page, etc.

Ultimately, to have the best website possible, you need to make sure that your SEO and web design work hand in hand. One easy way to achieve this is to work with a Toronto web design and SEO consultant company, such as NuBranch. We know both sides of the coin, helping to ensure that you get everything you need from your website. We can help you understand the next steps in improving your business – contact us today!