Google PR on an Image Map

For two sections of the site

[gsptshawn]

First and foremost, I'd like to introduce myself. I am shawn the programmer for a <large website>. Though I don't have a great grasp on exactly why we get the ranking we get for our websites I know some about google following the src portion of tags.

My question is more related to image maps though, recently we've done a rework of our program to expand it into multiple revenue models and new affiliate software installed on a subdomain. The main URL of the site is primarily a splash page with a choice of version two of the program or version three.

One graphic with two image maps allows them to enter both versions, is this going to hurt me tremediously?

[edited by: Marcia at 3:56 am (utc) on April 27, 2004]
[edit reason] Specific business or market not necessary. [/edit]

[jcoronella]

You should be fine as far as Google goes. Google will follow and translate PR through image maps. Still, I'd reconsider the 'splash page' for your users' sake.

Make sure you have your alt text in there to describe where each link goes and help with the disabled browsers. The blind browse the web with browsers that read the alt tags aloud to them, and I've heard some bots can't see either ;)

On an un-related/related note, you shouldn't have an image link without an alt tag. Browsers for the blind read the image name if there isn't an empty alt tag or one with text and I hear it can become unmanageable.

[karmov]

If you've got a *nix machine handy, use Lynx. Lynx is a text only browser which will give you a pretty good approximation of exactly what the various robots out there will see when they visit your site. This is invaluable when you use images as integral components of your site.

[karmov]

And there's me forgetting my manners again.

Welcome to Webmaster World gsptshawn!

I hope these posts helped you out. Read around this place, there's tons of valuable information throughout the entire site.

[elmarpanzenberger]

Lynx exists for win systems too ...

[John_Caius]

Lynx simulator here:

[delorie.com...]