ArtSites Updates

Speaking of Google, I wanted to write a series of articles about Search Engine Optimization ("SEO").

According to Wikipedia, Search Engine Optimzation ("SEO") is the process of affecting (usually increasing) the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's "natural" or un-paid ("organic") search results.

Geoff and I are often asked why a particular website isn't ranking better on Google.

While we're not SEO experts, there are many technical elements we have already included in the ArtSites system to improve your Google ranking.

BUT, if you're not using these built-in ArtSites "features", you may be missing out on some opportunities to increase your "Google Juice"! ;-)

Here's a list of 5 Basic ArtSites Things You Can Do to Improve Your Google Ranking:

1. Use Your Name and/or Artistic Title in Your Website Header, e.g. Title or Tagline
   Most people will do a search on your name or maybe a "type" of artist.
   
   After your domain name, your website "header" (click on image below) is weighted very heavily.
   
   
   
   Also, since this text appears on EVERY one of your pages, make sure it has the key words that are critical to people finding you.
   
   (FYI - even if you have a "Title Image", go to the Layout tab in your Admin Panel and fill in the "Website Title".
   
   Although it won't be visible to your visitors, it IS part of the website "code" and Google uses the website code to index your website - NOT just what you see!)
2. Fill-In All Your Page Titles
   Another important "element" on your webpage that Google weights heavily are your "Page Titles", e.g your "Home Title" or "Bio Title", (see image above).
   
   (In most layouts, these are the bold webpage titles you see.)
   
   If you don't enter text into your "Home Title", for example, Google has no key words to weight (and you lose some Google Juice ;-).
3. Fill-In All Your Image Titles
   
   Similarly, give all your artwork titles - descriptive is fine (and probably even better than "cutesy" ones)! ;-)
   
   Give Google a "pointer" as to what the image is about.
   
   (If you don't use a title, Google will only know that it IS an image.)
4. Use the Title of Your Artwork for Your Digital Filename
   When you upload your files, our system uses the name of the file to create a webpage address for that image.
   
   So, if your file comes from your camera and is called: DSCN2014, the webpage address for that image will be http://JaneExample.com/image/landscapes/dscn2014
   
   However, if you rename your file to "Lake Country Sunset", the webpage address will be http://JaneExample.com/image/landscapes/lake_country_sunset
   
   Clearly, that's much easier to read, but more importantly ...
   
   If someone does a search on "lake country sunset", your image is more likely to match those key words than the "DSCN2014" filename.
5. Add More Detailed Descriptions to Your Images
   Many artists only put artwork dimensions in their description fields.
   
   However, Google uses the words AROUND an image to better understand the "context" and "content" of that image.
   
   If all you have is "acrylic 18x20", your image will only match searches using those words - pretty generic, huh?! ;-)
   
   Write something descriptive about your artwork!
   
   Material and size are fine, but also include colours, location, subject-matter, history of the object, etc.!
   
   Not sure what to write?! Ask a friend to describe it and see what words s/he uses ;-)

As mentioned above, when Google "reviews" your website, it's done by a computer (NOT an individual).

So, if the only cues for context on your website are visual, please note that Google will not "see" this.

The more detailed and ultimately, more words you use to describe your artwork, the better!

Next week, I'll share 2 More General Tips to Help Improve Your Search Engine Optimization!

If you have any specific SEO questions, please let me know and I'll gladly include them in this discussion!

Happy "SEO-ing"! :-)