Content before Header? Advantage or Disadvantage?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by wd_2k6, May 14, 2008.

  1. #1
    Hi i'm wondering whether to put my Content so that it appears before my Header inside the Source Code?
    Would this be an advantage as the SE gets to read the content first? Or do SE's expect a header DIV?
     
    wd_2k6, May 14, 2008 IP
  2. astup1didiot

    astup1didiot Notable Member

    Messages:
    5,926
    Likes Received:
    270
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    280
    #2
    If your refering to the <head></head> this needs to be before the <body></body> tags. If your refering to heading tags (h1, h2, h3, etc) you should use them to structure your content, not to boost keywords or phrases.
     
    astup1didiot, May 14, 2008 IP
  3. godsofchaos

    godsofchaos Peon

    Messages:
    2,595
    Likes Received:
    124
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    At best you can call content before sidebar, but header is really funny lol.
     
    godsofchaos, May 14, 2008 IP
  4. wd_2k6

    wd_2k6 Peon

    Messages:
    1,740
    Likes Received:
    54
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    Sorry i didn't clarify myself clearly in the original post.
    What I mean is the header of the page, not the head or the heading tags but the header of the site. Note: This Contains the Menu and the Site Logo.
    So i'm saying is:

    <h1>Title of Page</h1>
    <div id="content"> Content Content </div>
    <div id="header"> Logo <menu></menu> </header>

    Better than:

    <div id="header"> Logo <menu></menu> </header>
    <h1>Title of Page</h1>
    <div id="content"> Content Content </div>

    There will be no change in what the user see's the header will still appear at the top of the page. this way SE's will be able to see my content first?
     
    wd_2k6, May 14, 2008 IP
  5. Marie-Aude

    Marie-Aude Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    43
    #5
    It is said to be slightly better...
     
    Marie-Aude, May 14, 2008 IP
  6. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

    Messages:
    6,032
    Likes Received:
    437
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    I always source my code order - header, menu(s), content, sidebar(s - if needed for the particular page/site), footer. Never, EVER, will you find one of my sites that includes the menu with the header in the source code, especially when CSS lets you use things like floats and negative margins to position page elements where you want them to appear (and are far more stable than absolute positioning, too).

    The search engines will find your content; if the page has been properly structured and written, exactly WHERE it appears won't be too big a deal, especially when you follow my set up to the letter.
     
    Dan Schulz, May 14, 2008 IP
  7. wd_2k6

    wd_2k6 Peon

    Messages:
    1,740
    Likes Received:
    54
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Thanks I actually have it in this order mostly due to your help a month or two back on my sidebar, so hopefully everything will be fine!
     
    wd_2k6, May 15, 2008 IP
  8. wavetowake

    wavetowake Peon

    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    i don't think it's going to make a huge difference either way. just be sure that your content is relevent to your title and your keywords are used throughout the content.
     
    wavetowake, May 15, 2008 IP