Every year, Google processes roughly 1.2 trillion searches. It’s pretty clear they’re doing something right to keep all of those people using their search engine. Part of it is how they narrow down the most relevant, safest content for their users.
As technology changes, so does how Google filters the perfect fit from the not-so-perfect fits. This is why when your website is built, it may be search engine friendly (SEF), and not search engine optimised (SEO). We say may be because not all websites are even Google friendly. But does your website really need to be search engine friendly if you’ll need SEO in the future?
The short answer, yes. Read on for the reason why.
What is search engine friendly (SEF)?
A search engine friendly website is designed, written and developed to be easy for search engines to crawl and visitors to use. It should be up to date with any current search engine algorithm guidelines, such as:
- Limiting code barriers so the website is easy for search engines to crawl (access to assess its relevance for a search query).
- Creating a smooth process for users of the website.
- Writing of unique, informative content, free of keyword stuffing (repetitive use of keywords) and other ways content can negatively impact search engine results.
And more.
What is search engine optimisation (SEO)?
The simplest explanation of SEO is what you do to be seen more on search engines, such as Google, in accordance to their latest algorithm. For example, keeping your business information up to date everywhere it’s listing (called NAP), having an SSL certificate and building backlinks can all impact SEO.
Of course, there’s a lot more to it, so feel free to browse through our Basic SEO Guide if you’re intrigued.
So, why do I need SEO if my website is search engine friendly?
Search engines, like Google and Bing, are consistently bettering their product to provide the most relevant information to their users. By doing this, what may have been not-so-important for being seen more on search engines, could become vital.
This is where a clear difference between search engine friendly and search engine optimisation appears. SEF puts your website in a good starting position. SEO is the ongoing work to keep your website where your customers are searching.
As you can tell by now, you can’t simply set-and-forget your website and expect it to do well—no matter how well it was built. You need to be allocating every week to research new algorithm changes, assess how they work with your website and making the relevant changes. The thing is, you’ll most likely also need to learn some coding, design and content strategy skills to be able to execute it as well as it needs to be.
But you’re a business owner! Unless your business is developing, designing and writing websites, you don’t have time for that. Digital marketing services, like Localsearch, are here to help. If you want to leave the research, analysing and technical changes to someone else, let’s have a chat.