But your visitors do. Let’s face it. When it comes to blog design, the search engines couldn’t care less what it looks like. In fact, apart from black text on black backgrounds, search engines like Google are only interested in a text versions of web site.
What about graphics, video and audio I hear someone say? Again, search engines are only interested in text versions (that is why your alt tags are so important). Search engines don’t listen to an audio file (yet – just wait – it wont be long), nor do they watch a video (ditto), the contents of these files could be garbage, the search engine doesn’t care. They do want the alt tags in your blog design though.
Getting a little more serious, search engines are not interested in blog design – your visitors most definitely are. It is pointless undertaking a strong SEO campaign that brings in plenty of visitors only to have them run just as quickly because they have been confronted by an eye-sore. There is no need for it either.
You can very easily incorporate user friendly features along with visually appealing looks into your blog design whilst still implementing strong SEO strategies. The two need not infringe on each other, in fact serving two masters can help to keep you sharper and more on the ball.
Blog design may not be important to search engines, but they are highly important to me along with every other visitor to your site. Don’t sacrifice good design in the name of SEO – they can both live harmoniously together.
