Why this?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by bigu, Jul 14, 2009.

  1. #1
    bigu, Jul 14, 2009 IP
  2. Canonical

    Canonical Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Yep... Do you know how many sites out there have links like "Click here to download the lastest Adobe!" Did you notice how many sites in the top 20 are actually software sites where other sites would be sending people to download something?

    This is why I am ALWAYS on my content managers to NOT use "click here", "get started", etc. as link text. When you use crappy link text like this, the link becomes worthless other than increasing the target page's PR a bit. It will ONLY help the page rank for "click here", "get started", etc. (whatever they use as the link text) and will NOT help the page rank for it's targeted keyword phrase(s).
     
    Canonical, Jul 14, 2009 IP
  3. RightMan

    RightMan Notable Member

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    #3
    It is kind of funny that people looking for 'here' gets to see 'Adode' in the first position! :eek:

    I agree with Canonical that Adode must be having lot many downloading portals giving them the link with anchor text 'here' to download acrobat reader! :eek:

    Regards,

    RightMan
     
    RightMan, Jul 14, 2009 IP
  4. Tara33

    Tara33 Peon

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    #4
    I sort of agree with this, but on the flip side, we also have to consider our users' experience. We use image and text links to create a "call to action" on our web sites. From a user standpoint, it is nice to use "click here for..." or "click to view..." and such, because it helps our visitors find what they are looking for. It defines the link's purpose. That is an important part of any website's internal linking structure. Usability first. :)
     
    Tara33, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  5. Canonical

    Canonical Well-Known Member

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    #5
    I agree that usability should always come first, but I have yet to see a case where someone wanted to use "Click Here" that couldn't be reworded to be good link text AND maintain usability...

    In the case of Adobe for example, instead of "Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader." why not use something like "Download Adobe Acrobat Reader." or "Download Adobe Acrobat Reader." If users are so web illiterate that they can't tell those are all hyperlinks intended for you to click on to download it, I'm not sure having"click here" hyperlinked is any more obvious to them.
     
    Canonical, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  6. willybfriendly

    willybfriendly Peon

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    #6
    So, you think that click here is better than download Adobe software now?

    You must be one of those people that still thinks people read whats on a web page.

    In fact, they scan. The second example above provides a better user experience.
     
    willybfriendly, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  7. Tara33

    Tara33 Peon

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    #7
    I didn't say that I prefer one of those versions over the other. My argument is not about whether to use the words, "click here". It was about using call-to-action hyperlinks in general...no matter the verbiage. You choose for your site, and I'll choose for mine. Some of my links include "click to...", and others simply say something, such as "view project".

    And to the contrary, I believe that MANY users now understand that those little colored, underlined words are hyperlinks. However, we still receive phone calls from professional and home-based users alike, who are absolutely unable to grasp the concept of how to navigate a website; click an image for an enlarged view; click the underlined link to view a detail, etc.

    As for whether people read our web site. They do. They have to. Our product is not a commodity, but a high-end, custom-designed product for professional use. If you're our client, and you do not read about the abilities and limitations of our product, you stand to lose a few hundred thousand dollars. We don't sell widgets, or use AdSense to make money. So, the content on our site contains pertinent information, and is read I assure you.

    Aside from our web site, we also distribute a complete architectural binder, which also has lots and lots of words in it. Can you believe people actually ask for this stuff? Hey, on our next print production, I may suggest using only pictures. Not!

    Furthermore, your statement, "you must be one of those people..." Do not pretend to know what kind of person I am. You do not know me.
     
    Tara33, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  8. theapparatus

    theapparatus Peon

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    #8
    Nice to see another Charlotte, NC person around these parts. :)

    I had for the longest time the highest ranking for "Senior Citizen Retirement Home Investing" or something along those lines simply because of a single broken link or some other site somewhere. And it linked to one of my Daria fanfiction works. Got like 30% of my traffic from that link for the longest time. People left the nastiest notes.
     
    theapparatus, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  9. willybfriendly

    willybfriendly Peon

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    #9
    My point is that people do not read web pages in the same way they read print material. They scan web pages. Any number of studies have shown this.

    If your content is not written with this in mind, then your site will be less effective than it could be.

    The example of download Adobe Software now is a call to action. It is also something that will draw the eye that is scanning the page, whereas click here probably won't.

    One of the nice things about SEO is that structuring a page for user friendliness just happens to structure it well for robot friendliness - inclduing anchor text in the links. But also bolded words, italicized words and other styles of typography,

    • such as lists
    • features
    • attributes
    • benefits
    all of which can be included under the title of "On Page Optimization".

    I do not pretend to know you, although it would appear that you are easily piqued!
     
    willybfriendly, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  10. real1022

    real1022 Peon

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    #10
    when it's done to make someone or something show up for a particular phrase it's called "Google bombing" Thats how Brad Fallon ranked as "coolest guy in the world" (now that's something to show at your high school reunion.)

    not bad idea. hahahaha
     
    real1022, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  11. Michaelr

    Michaelr Peon

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    #11
    The trick is to get people to your website in the first instance and then worry about usability second!
     
    Michaelr, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  12. willybfriendly

    willybfriendly Peon

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    #12
    I would disagree. If it is not done right to begin with, people will not stay even if they do find your site.

    What if I come to your site from a phone? Will it be usable? If I am blind (or just color blind)?

    A website is a functional whole. Fortunately, best practices in design also tend to make a site robot friendly.

    On site optimization is about making it easy for the SE's to know what the page is about. Good design makes this possible. I would suggest that following W3C standards is a great way to do on page optimization.
     
    willybfriendly, Jul 17, 2009 IP
  13. Yardy009

    Yardy009 Peon

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    #13
    i found that your link is not working properly...is it working or not ????
     
    Yardy009, Jul 18, 2009 IP
  14. theapparatus

    theapparatus Peon

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    #14
    Works fine for me. I do notice that Adobe has now dropped down to spot #6 though.
     
    theapparatus, Jul 18, 2009 IP