Going After the Big Boys

Help if you would please

[williamhager]

Going After the Big Boys

Hi, I am new to the board and new to the internet game. I am near completion of a Social/community site which is very big and complex. It is written in full Ajax. I have been told that Ajax is not quit search engine friendly.
What I'm looking for are details of just how to make them friendly so that I might pass this on to the Developer.

What I'm also looking for is, on a shoestring budget, how do you hurl a rock at Goliath or at least get him to sit down for lunch. Promoting this must have many avenues which I am unaware of. Of you who post, could you please name me a few ways of pushing a site. I know SEO is one way, but I know too, it also has many roads. Of those of you whom have traveled, please point and give directions... Thank williamhager

ps.... if you know of any books or things to read; I thank you as well.

[vincevincevince]

The fundamental principle is that:
A user without javascript can still navigate through the content

That cannot be understated, it is an absolute requirement and the only requirement. What it means in practice is that everything you click to access must have both a true URL and a AJAX function behind it.

Non-AJAX:

<a href="/list_of_cars.html">Show all cars</a>

AJAX, useless for SEO:

<a href="#" onClick="javascript:showcontent('list_of_cars')">Show all cars</a>

SEO friendly AJAX:

<a href="/list_of_cars.html" onClick="javascript:showcontent('list_of_cars');return false;">Show all cars</a>

The SEO friendly version means that those with javascript available use the standard AJAX system, and the HREF part is cancelled by the 'return false;' whilst those who don't have javascript (e.g. search engines) ignore the onClick and follow the HREF part.

Test your site by disabling javascript entirely and then trying to access all your content by clicking from the homepage alone. If it's possible, then you are reasonably okay for SEO.

ps.... if you know of any books or things to read; I thank you as well.

Yes, I heartily recommend most works by H. G. Wells for a thoroughly involving read

[canadafred]

The best advice I can give you is to keep creating meaningful unique content for your Internet visitor. Make sure your stuff is so good that others will naturally want to recommend it to their own web visitors as an additional source of relevant content.

Always think of your visitor first. How are you going to turn that visit into a phone call? Solid content and a good presemtation. SEO is also about marketing. Be innovative, do it better and more effectively than your keyphrase competitors. Sure, they may have slightly better rankings than you do, for now, but who's phone is ringing? Make it yours.