'Give SEO a boost with better web usability'

22nd July 2008

Businesses would do well to look at website elements such as internal links and quality of content to boost both usability and search rankings, it has been advised.

According to Mark Jackson of Search Engine Watch, usability and search engine optimisation (SEO) often cross paths, meaning that marketers could benefit from focusing on improving the user experience on their websites.

He suggested that companies look at practices such as including keywords in anchor text links and steering away from the misconception that making a website more user-friendly means less text and a greater focus on visual appearance.

Mr Jackson asked: "Do you have enough content for users to thoroughly research your company? Do you use words that are commonly used by your target audience within the content of your website?"

Usability expert Jakob Nielsen recently claimed that internet users are now more demanding of a web experience that gives them the information they want straight away, calling them "ruthless", the BBC reports.