There is much talk today about Search Engine Optimization tips and how to land higher placement in a SEs (Search Engine) SERPS (Search Engine Results Position). But little is discussed how properly used White Hat SEO techniques will be able to assist in website accessibility.
Much the time its very true, that advertising a websites and accessifying a site will butt heads. Accessibility says that content is king, and end-user usability / accessibility must prevail before any marketing hype - and specifically any black hat usage. Search Engine Optimization has stated in the past that all is fair in love and SERPS! Accessibility has not been considered, sometimes not even a option.
Well, fast forward into the ever evolving world of Search Engine Optimization. Content has always been a key SEO consideration, but never more so than now. As a matter of fact, content - and more importantly for this article - accessible content stands as the foundation for all SEO work.
Next to the top priority of obtaining Incoming Back links (IBL) from that high PR (PageRank) site that drive so many SEO professionals batty, there is, The Copy (The Content). Keyword rich web content is important, yes, but now it seems much more than ever, that the actual layout, or page markup of a site – needs to be rich. Rich in usability / accessibility. If you think about it, when a user has problems accessing a site, whether it be due to inaccessible navigation, or content way below the fold - while banner ads about Other Topics are at the top of the page, what do you think a search engines searchbot will think (can they think)?
SEs are becoming much more capable in their algorthymns of a page or site that is targeting real clients, or just trying to make an AdSense buck. So this movement has been for the good of accessibility!
When a client wants a website built for their Mom-and-Pop store, what I like to ask them is a very simple question (among many other questions of course), Do you have an older relative that has a sight impairment, or do you know of anyone who suffers from any disability? Statistics show us that they do know of a loved one who fits that category. I then launch into my Accessibility Statement. As I evangelize the accessibility movement, I most likely will get the reply of, that sounds great, but will that help my site be on Yahoos top ten in one month?
Im sorry to say, but unless youre linked from search engines themselves, along with 5 other PR10 sites, youre gonna be sandboxed for awhile! But – and this is a big but - accessifying your website will most definitely help your SERPS in the long run!
SEO and Accessibility should go hand in hand, and with the proper SEO tips in coding, youll not only succeed in making your websites usable for everyone, youll benefit greatly within your SEO marketing plans.
Ive been involved in Web Design Standards and Plain Old Semantic HTML for four years now. As a member of the Guild of Accessible Web Designers, as well as membership in the Web Standards Group, I strive to achieve maximum usability andaccessibility in my designs, while using the latest, cutting-edge eXtensible HyperText Mark-up Language/CSS markup. These coding practices fully validate with the W3C standards for XHTML/CSS, as well as complywith the W3Cs WAI - A, AA, or AAA standards.