Most of us are aware that any optimisation of a website, the ‘content is king’ scenario is what forms the basics of your search engine optimisation efforts. What happens though when your business is such that your website has to be graphics intensive? For example a jeweller designer’s website; it must be image and graphic intensive, it is the only way to get the message across. Now generally, a website that is graphics heavy can make the business do poorly in the rankings.

In this instance, to optimise the website you have to come up with alternative ways to use content that is textual. You have to work clever; you do not have to make use of long storylines, but you must have sufficient text or the search engines will ignore your website. There are quite a few strategies to use that will bring balance to your website and please both your web visitors and the search engines.

Alternative uses for content

You can place descriptions that are keyword rich underneath each of the images or graphics on your web pages. A good description with each graphic of say two sentences will add up and give you proper keyword diffusion across each page. Another way is to put an opening sentence next to a graphic and link it to a full description. Add more alternative content by including sections of your website that relates to the different items you offer for sale.

It is not a ‘must’ that content has to have a specific word count. You can even break up blocks of about 250 words into much smaller segments. Adding short blocks of content about topics that tie in with your website allows good use of keyword phrases as well. Jewelly designer; add blocks of information about specific pieces of jewellery and the fashions they compliment. Bring age demographics in such as which pieces of your jewellery suit this or that age group or lifestyle.

Bullets work brilliantly

Remember that is does not matter where on the page you have text, the search engines find it wherever you have put it. Look past traditional sentences. Bullets and any numbered lists are content as well. Bullets are excellent for using keyword rich snippets of text. For instance keywords such as offer, provide, your order and shipping flows easily in bullets.

Alt tags and sidebars

It is true that Alt tags must not be abused, but too often people neglect to use them effectively. You will not annoy the search engines if you use keywords in a smart way in your Alt tags. These Alt tags are very important for people with reading difficulties as well. So without keyword stuffing, use your Alt tags for describing your graphic. Use short keyword phrases. This is search engine optimisation for both search engines and specific visitors at the same time. If you use sidebars as navigation links, this gives you an excellent opportunity to make use of empty space. This works extremely well for inserting short pieces of keyword rich text. Each bit of text helps and you can cleverly weave it around your product and graphics.

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