What is Web Optimization

Web optimization is the process of streamlining the internet so that websites can be found more easily, and the traffic to them can be increased. Were it not for web optimization the internet may be a jumbled mess, and the only way you would be able to get anywhere was if you knew exactly where you wanted to go or you had the web address for what you were looking for.

One of the main players are meta tags these serve as a name tag or every form of data on the internet, from picture to video and even flash. But they are not only name tags they also provide descriptions for images and videos, and other things which can not be decoded by simple text alone. Meta tags allow search engines to find your website when a person performs a search. For example, if somebody was looking for a new ski, the could search for "best skis of 2010" the search engine you chose would then search the web for those tags (very quickly also), and any website that contained a meta tag that contained information about ski's and ski's for 2010 would pop up on your search engine.

As you can see your use of meta tags are very important for how well your website will run, and how much traffic you will receive. Cleverly thought up tags is all you need to to be successful in getting your website to page one on any search engine.

Navigation

Navigation is what can make or break a website, can turn a hassle into a breeze. Its like trying to get from boston to new york, with a gps system you can get there very easily much like a well designed website such as newschoolers which provides you simply with any information you need without any serious hassle. Then you have mapquest which provides you with good direction but may not be extremely up to date and requires you to pay more attention, more like a mediocre website. Lastly you have your standard map which makes you have to find you way on your ow, which is much like a terrible website such as wvbbts the links are old and don't work, much like an old map which may be missing closed roads, new and old bridges, overall just making your traveling (or navigation a website) extremely unpleasant.

Without a working navigation system a website will fail to capture anyone who visits the site. It is the heart and soul of any successful web page, If it works properly and flawlessly you are on your way to website perfection.

Style Sheets

A style sheet controls how the information on a web page is presented, there are three types style sheets. these are explained here. An internal style sheet which is placed directly on the page of the interface it needs to effect. An external style sheet is placed in a separate folder so that it can effect all of the web pages involved. An inline style sheet is placed inside the tag it needs to effect.

Without style sheets web pages would not be as easily customizable as they are today. they allow you to change text color, the background color, the way that hyperlinks act on pages, the possibilities are almost limitless.

What Makes a Great Website

In my mind a great website, is something that grabs my attention immediately. This means it either has flashy visuals, or information which I find either very important or interesting. If a website fails to grasp either of these two categories right from the beginning it has already failed.

Also The website must provide and easy way receive the information you are looking for. If all the information is jumbled on the first page like this for example is very intimidating, and resembles something more of a text book page then a website.

A good example on the other hand would be Encyclopedia Britannica which from first sight seems welcoming compared to our the other web page. It provides up to date news on the front page to keep you interested coupled with the easy search bar to get you exactly where you want to go. then add the plethora of information provided on the website, and you have as close to perfection as you can get.