Google Panda Update – How It Affects Search Engine Optimisation

As you know Google is the primary search engine that all businesses are aiming to dominate and recently a major update has been released affecting all websites. It is not uncommon for Google to release updates as they are constantly improving the way they rank sites, as a business owner it is your responsibility to ensure your website keeps track with those updates.

At Sigma InfoTech our teams of experts have studied the latest update called the “Panda Update” and identified three major changes to Search engine optimisation in the update you need to understand:

SEO Major Change 1: Poor Quality = Poor Results

In the Panda Update Google changed the algorithm it uses to index and rank sites so that it discounted low quality, low value sites. Sites that have unique, valuable content will be ranked higher then sites that have low value, duplicate content.

No longer can a cheap, duplicate content site rank well in the search engine you must invest in building quality sites with well-written and well-researched content. This is not something new though as at Sigma InfoTech we have always told our clients they need quality content and quality sites to get long-term search engine results.

Search Engine Optimisation Major Change 2: Become Google’s Content Partner

The second major change in the Panda Update is Google has stated publicly they will reward trusted, high quality sites. It is important right now to ensure you are optimizing your site effectively and within Google’s terms of service. If you are doing this then you will be rewarded by Google, here is the direct quote from Google:

“Google depends on the high-quality content created by wonderful websites around the world, and we do have a responsibility to encourage a healthy web ecosystem. Therefore, it is important for high-quality sites to be rewarded, and that’s exactly what this change does.”

When creating your website ensure you are producing content and pages on your site that reflect what Google and your visitor requires. Sigma InfoTech clients should be elated with this news as all of your websites are built on this principle.

Website Optimisation Major Change 3: Win-Win-Win

An out-dated but often used technique for Search Engine Optimisation is to write content designed to rank well in search engines without considering your readers. The “Panda Update” is forcing website publishers to provide content that is “Win-Win-Win”.

Win 1: Provide content that readers and visitors want to read and find valuable

Win 2: Provide content that is well search engine optimised and easily indexed by Google

Win 3: Rank well because you have achieved your visitors and Google’s goals

Simply put, the Panda Update means website owners who are making an investment in quality content, quality web design and website design quality coding will be rewarded. Google is trying to improve the quality of their search engine results and by following their simple rules you will start to rank well.

Flash making Wonders in Website Design

   Many people include Flash in their website design (or at some stage of website development) so that they can attract the visitors thereby improve the look and feel of their website and also showcase their products and services in the banner via Flash. 
If Flash on a website is used properly in a website design then it becomes a great way to enhance the graphical experience of the website visitors and also provide them fast preview of the products and services and hence save their time which impresses them.

Some good uses of Flash on a website (without it allowing overshadowing your website design or look and feel) are:

1  Flash Menu: Use of Flash menus is a good way to develop a website design that looks fresh without making the website too heavy.

2  Flash Banner: Flash is used in the banner of the websites. If a flash banner is created properly it can really showcase your products and services more precisely and beautifully to your visitors. However only 5% websites use the banners very well. A lot of website designers don’t realise that just using flash for the sake of it can actually work against the business. When anyone visits a website and is impressed at the first page he likes to visit all the pages of the pages thus increasing the number of potential customers.

3  Flash Presentation: If you need to provide a presentation through your website, the best option is to incorporate a flash presentation. The biggest reason for using Flash is that it’s always smaller (if designed properly) in size and more effective than a PowerPoint.

Numbers of websites have been created in flash only, and yes they have proved successful to a business. Some of the sites like of online music, online video have to be developed in Flash so as to gain more potential customers. The point to be noted here is that the customer has always received good feedback for their website and it has done great wonders to their business. Customers have the capability to listen to their music online. This was a perfect scenario (and excuse) for developing a website completely in Flash. Even at that time we provided a HTML version of the website for people on a slow connection.

In conclusion, I would again iterate that Flash is a great tool but it should be used discretely in your web design. Consider if Flash is going to add any value to your business and your website. Discuss this carefully with your website designer and check if others in your industry have used Flash and how successful it has been for them. Just don’t use flash for the sake of it.