http://www.playstation3clans.com/blog.php Playstation3clans, The place to get your PS3 clan noticed! en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:15:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.playstation3clans.com/images/custom/vuel/misc/rss.jpg http://www.playstation3clans.com/blog.php http://www.playstation3clans.com/blog.php?b=4 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:57:42 GMT Some of you might be familiar with the concept of SEO, but for those of you who are not, it is short for Search Engine Optimization, is somewhat a... Some of you might be familiar with the concept of SEO, but for those of you who are not, it is short for Search Engine Optimization, is somewhat a big thing when it comes to web development. What it means is that you tweak the design, content and even word density on your page to get listed higher up on certain search keywords when people use a search engine. However, as a clan website you will probably end up competing for very popular keywords, like game names, game, console etc etc. And for a small time website, like a clan website is, it isn't really realistic that you will rank high on any of those keywords.

So instead, you will have to focus of getting traffic, and retaining traffic (meaning people sign up for your site). The best way of doing this might not be SEO, as human reads a website very differently from how a robot reads it. So the following is a few tips on how to make your website more easy for users to navigate and use.

1. Use clear headings. Very important, headlines should always be used for content, and should generally be distinct and descriptive. Also keep in mind that users read your site from top right to bottom left. Having a logo with a backlink to your front page is always helpful (and a general standard), horizontal top menus will also help expose what your site has to offer. Also organize your content so that the most important will be at the top
2. Differentiate links from text. Not necessary to use underline and blue text, but make sure that links are easily spotted.
3. Contrast! Dark background and dark font colors, or light background and light font colors do not mix. Your users shouldn't strain their eyes when trying to read your content.
4. Header & footer should be consistent throughout your site. This is really helpful for users navigating your site without getting lost.
5. Do not cramp your site. Keep it tidy, divide your text into paragraphs. Too much content on one page make it seem cluttered and disorganized.
6. If your clan have specific requirements, MAKE THEM CLEAR. If you have a distinct front page you can add content to, use that to explain what type of members you are looking for. This will help attracting the right kind of people, and also weeding out some of the "unwanted".
7. A minimum of SEO, like using h1 headers, keyword density, meta description and keywords will help you in the long run. Also keeping your front page dynamically updated (through list of latest forum posts, blog posts, whatever will help, search engines usually prefer active sites over dead sites).
8. Active recruitment is often needed. Using site like this to expose your site also helps attracting the right crowd, especially since you have the ability manipulate the description, and link text.

Keeping it simple, yet readable is the keyword here. Do not add tons of complex features if you don't need it, that will only complicate your site, and make it appear cluttered and inactive. Only expand as needed, don't start out big, then shorten it in, and you will most likely make your and your and the users life much easier. ]]> ZirMc http://www.playstation3clans.com/blog.php?b=4