5 June 2007

Companies that employ search engine optimisation (SEO) tactics in their websites should make sure that usability is not ignored in the process, according to one expert.

In an article for Clickz.com, Shari Thurow, Marketing Director at Grantastic Designs, warns that firms should not focus on SEO at the expense of carrying out tests to back up claims that the site fulfils the necessary usability criteria.

"When your SEO firm talks about search usability, make sure they actually perform usability tests and analyse the results accurately. Make sure they're using the appropriate tests," she comments.

Ms Thurow also suggests that web designers do not test their own designs and instead persuade others to test them from a more objective viewpoint.

According to marketing agency Bigmouthmedia, web designers should take factors such as the display of the site on different browsers and the use of CSS and XHTML to accommodate web pages viewed on mobile devices into account when considering usability.

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