In my practice, which is not that huge, regarding SEO work, I happen to learn things on the run, and it actually works just fine. Mistakes don’t get repeated – at least not that often; new ideas sprout as I work on any new project and inspiration is essential part of the working process. I tend to be emotionally attached to anything I do with no exception to the passion I have for SEO related tasks. Thus, I cannot be impersonal to what I’m doing but at the end the results are good, I feel satisfaction and fulfillment that is measured not only by income flow.
That explains the use of personal involvement at first glance. So to speak I’m turning to a new web project just like I would turn to a person, and for me that is indistinguishable. The web project is a living creature, has its own life, soul, development, growth and faith. It doesn’t matter how “big” it is, what matters is how you feel about it. If it’s something that is just on the background of your thoughts, on the surface of your sences and on the edge of your perception then you aren’t living that time of yours fully ! You’re just like many others doing it because you must, not because you want and like it ! Mind the difference ?
Getting back the focus on the topic – I actually want to share what and how I do when starting a new project. First of all I don’t look at the code at the very beginning at all, no matter how experienced, in technical regard, I am. The first thing to do is to take a look at the site and to decide what is its “personality”, yes that is the word in question ! What is your first feeling, impression ? Do you feel good, or bad, or anxious about it ? Do you like it or not ? What are the chances for the thing you see to grow and develop in a good, positive manner from your interaction ? Generally speaking, the first thing to know is how do you perceive the new acquaintance. And if you feel great about it – go ahead. If not – decide whether you want it. Is it worth time, and if your time is just money then you’re merely cynical and I don’t mind if you feel offended by that fact !
Once you get over that very first step that will be crucial for the lifetime of the project span, you must forget, for a while about all your knowledge. To get into the shoes of a normal user as much as possible. To forget all the code, formulas and spells you know and to test the usability, yes this is the word, the term that measures the interactional functionality of a web site – it’s merits userwise. How easy is to make what you’re supposed to do with it, how clear the actions are, how well unprepared person, unaware of all the features can handle the tasks that one is supposed to achieve. But, of course – back to technical grounds – this is just the minimum usability that we’ll cover for now, plus, it’s not the main focus. Although – remember that – really important !
Next action is after you check the user usability is to take notes. Start immediately, don’t waste no second, start with any assossiation that comes to mind, write down even seemingly unimportant things that cross your thoughts.
And that is just the first glance.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Organic SEO is always the best as Google likes you to optimize your page in an organic way..”.