Even though SEO and web development and design seem to be very different things, they are closely related. Companies typically outsource these tasks, assigning them to different agencies, but the best solution may be to use one agency that provides both services. Let’s look at why.
How are web design and SEO related?
User experience (UX) is the factor that unites both SEO and web design. Designers focus more on navigation, look and feel, while SEO experts work on the aspects that help the site rank well in search engines. The objective is actually the same: attractive, user-friendly sites that help businesses succeed.
In order to be truly efficient, websites need to give visitors exactly what they are looking for. This means that the site has to be functional, appealing and able to clarify user’s questions. Naturally, users should also be able to find it easily.
What’s more important? Design, web development or SEO?
Trick question. If you think that great design is enough to compensate for bad SEO, or the other way around, you’re mistaken. Strong SEO leads users to your site, but good design keeps them there.
In other words, if your site is beautiful but no one ever goes there, it’s effectively useless. However, if your site ranks at the top of search engines but your design and navigation are terrible (the site takes forever to load, etc.) then your visitors will leave and your site will lose its high ranking.
Also, keep in mind that there is no real website without development – the beautiful elements and the smooth navigation need an equally good coding job in order to become an actual site.
Why combine your web development, design and SEO agency?
While it may seem like SEO and website development should be outsourced to different specialized agencies, the reality is very different. Working with two different agencies to handle both activities separately will often create confusion, miscommunication, and bad results.
SEO, web design and development need to work together, it makes sense to get these things all in one place if you’re motivated by result-oriented performance. This way, you will ensure that your website ranks top of the search engines AND that your visitors return. The goal is that they also become customers.
How to make web development, design and SEO work together
Designers, developers and SEO people should work together in the early stages of your project. This will help the designer create a site architecture that is SEO-friendly. It will also provide a good opportunity for your SEO team to start working on the solution to potential issues.
Although they are related fields, avoid the temptation to save costs by hiring one individual who does both web design and SEO (or even design, development and SEO). The fields are different and specialized, so it’s rare that one person is a genuine expert in all three.
The best solution is to hire a full-service Internet marketing agency with an established team of designers, developers, and SEO professionals to work together on your site, you can make sure that there is a specialized person taking care of every aspect and, at the same time, that the result is going to be cohesive.
Is web design related to SEO?
Yes, it is. A good web design needs to be functional and appealing to your audience to provide a positive user experience. Creating a user-friendly website for your audience can help you, along with SEO, to rank your website higher.
How should I manage UX design and SEO at the same time?
The best way to have a harmonious web design and SEO strategy is by having the same agency for both activities. Since both disciplines need to work together, that’s the best way to have an effective performance.