Following on from the recent posts “How to work with SEO in today’s marketplace” where I covered understanding the fundamentals of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and How to Drive Traffic to Your Site where I covered some valuable tips you need to know to drive Traffic to your site.
In this post we will take a look at how to Optimize your site Architecture, but before we do ….
Please Note: If you have not yet read the previous posts please follow the links below and do so before continuing with this latest post. I would also recommend you read the comments and replies as they can often add a wealth of information to the original post. If you like a comment you are more than welcome to reply. Just hit the Reply link beneath the comment.
Better still leave a reply of your own 
How to work with SEO in today’s marketplace
How to Drive Traffic to Your Site
ok; on to “How to Optimize Your Site Architecture”
In today’s Web marketplace, SEO (search engine optimization) isn’t all about keywords and content. It’s also about making information easy to access, either through a search engine or within your website. That’s why, as a Webmaster, you need to optimize your site architecture.
Basic architecture principles
There are three principles to consider when optimizing a site’s architecture:
• Clear site architecture
• Search-optimized site architecture
• Search-optimized information management
Clear site architecture
Clear sites are easy to browse and satisfying. It’s all about making the paths to information easy to follow. Providing plenty of internal links between the different pages of your site not only helps readers navigate your information, but also contributes to your pages’ Google PageRank.
Search-optimized site architecture
To get the most of clear site architecture, you need to search-optimize it. Search-optimized site architecture begins with keyword research Blogging. It requires naming your pages according to your keyword cloud, using internal search engines properly and setting up your pages to make it easy for Google crawlers to identify each page’s content.
Optimize and Add Your URL to Google Crawler
Search-optimized information management
As I mentioned in the previous Post above about creating unique content, Webmasters need to plan content ahead. It’s also important to use search optimization techniques when producing and publishing that content. No matter how many people contribute to your site’s content, you need a good information management system that contributes to your site’s SEO strategy.
Build Your Architecture and Plan Your Content
No matter whether your site is already available online or is still in construction, to get a clear and search-optimized architecture you’ll need to use charts and diagrams.
Build your Architecture
Mind mapping programs are excellent at the conceptual stage of a website. Start with the landing page in the middle and add nodes as your content expands. Keep your keyword cloud handy as you develop you site hierarchy.
A simple blog could look like this:
Of course, the bigger the site, the more complex your architecture will be. Keywords should be used at all levels, from the more general to the more precise.
Plan your Content
Dynamic content such as blogs or news require more planning than static pages like product or service descriptions.
Blog and news writing requires time spent on research and reading other blogs (Blog Hopping) and websites.
Never sacrifice quality for quantity; readers detect “content farm” style content very quickly and usually don’t come back. Less frequent, high-quality content is better than constantly mediocre texts.
Sales pages require Web-optimized copywriting. Web readers are not willing to read the instruction manual on a product’s page; you’d be better to put such long texts in a downloadable PDF. Keep it short, clear and to the point; readers want basic information for comparison with other similar products.
Whenever planning or writing content, keep your keyword cloud in mind and always optimize for your selected keywords. The higher in your hierarchy, the more general your keywords; make it more precise as you go deeper in your pages.
Optimizing a site’s architecture requires work and planning, but it’s a worthwhile investment in your website’s future.
Remember to Optimize!
As you know I love hearing from you and reading your comments so please share your thoughts below:
If you use Twitter, Google’s +1 or Facebook please hit the button below and share it for me please!
Catch up soon
Filed under: SEO and SEM
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Twitter: adriennesmith40
Wow Ian, this is some great information you’ve shared.
I’ve been told numerous times how important SEO is to your site. I’ve also been told how important it is to interlink posts but here’s my question. You’ve been to my blog so I’m sure you’ve noticed that I write about things that I learn and courses or programs I’m learning from. So planning my content ahead of time doesn’t necessarily work for me. Am I doomed as far as having my site found in the search engines due to not optimizing it the way it should? I mean it’s not like I don’t have plenty of traffic to my site right now but we can always use more right.
Appreciate your help with this and I also appreciate how you’ve explained this. Although I know it’s something I should be doing, I’m just not sure how to implement it the way I currently blog.
Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..What Everyone Ought To Know About Social Media
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Adrienne
Apologies for the delay in my reply went away for the weekend with orders to leave my laptop at home!
Thanks for dropping in and commenting I really appreciate it.
Adrienne first and foremost you’re not doomed!
Regarding planning your content ahead of time …. I love the fact that you write about the courses you have attended and what you have learnt or the current programs you’re using. This is one of the reasons why I have you in my RSS feed list … I love your blog content!
YOU are giving your audience what they want; your visitor stats and comments show that. Knowing your audience and knowing what they want is the key to having quality content.
A blog content plan ensures you cover the full range of topics you want your blog to explore.
Regarding “Search-optimized site architecture” you could categorise your posts depending on the topic being covered e.g. “Courses attended” “Current Programs you use” or “What I have learnt”
Make sure that these are added to your keyword Tag cloud.
In future posts in the category series make sure that you add a link to a previous post in the content, or a post from a different category not only will this build your internal links which google loves, help readers to navigate the information you have provided, but this helps to optimise the internal search engine of your blog to make it easier for Google Crawlers to identify each page.
I would also suggest that you add your URL to Google / Google Crawler this will index your site. You can also add keywords as well.
Optimize and Add Your URL to Google Crawler
Hope this helps Adrienne I am always willing to help if I can. If you would like to know something more specific just let me know.
Thanks for your kind words I really appreciate it.
Catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..How to Optimize Your Site Architecture
Twitter: adriennesmith40
Wow Ian, thank you SO much for sharing all this with me. See, I have learned even more now just from your comment. I’m actually going to bookmark this site so I can come back with I need more tips. You’re the best and I’m glad you were away with no computer access. We all need weekends like that! But, welcome home!
Adrienne recently posted..Discover The REAL Adrienne Smith – #NicheAmnesty
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Adrienne
You are so welcome my friend, and I am pleased that you have taken something away from the post and the comment.
Take care, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..How to Optimize Your Site Architecture
Twitter: deeannrice
Ian,
This is a really good post and series of posts on optimizing a blog.
For me this type of thing has always been really hard to understand. Maybe because you have to think like a machine or better yet Google.
I try to incorporate everything when I am writing my posts but not sure I always get it done.
Thanks for the information. It will keep me thinking about this when I post.
Dee Ann
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Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Dee Ann
Thanks for visiting and for your comment I really appreciate it.
When you create posts on your blog based on your target audience’s keyword usage, you help to ensure that visitors will find the items they need from your Blog “grocery store” of content.
Besides developing the most logical blog architecture you can, developing search-optimized site architectures has four main benefits:
1. It enables you to cover the range of possible keyword combinations that your target audience uses, helps to capture a higher proportion of targeted visitors.
2. It enables you to fill gaps in content that you did not appreciate prior to doing keyword research.
3. It enables you to gain market intelligence on your target audience, which helps you better address the needs of the audience that you attract from Google.
2. It enhances internal link equity. Search engines use the same algorithm to assess whether two pages are relevant to each other as they do to judge if a page is relevant to a keyword phrase.
If the pages that link to one another on your posts have related keywords, Google will judge them as relevant to each other, and that will tend to increase their PageRank from your internal links.
Take care, Catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..How to Optimize Your Site Architecture
Twitter: barry_wells
Hi Ian, another fantastic post in your series.
I like the fact that you’ve entered diagrams to help people see what needs to be done along with an excellent explanation of why it needs doing.
I must admit that I never really plan the content on my blog, other than a few series that I have, or am putting together. This has really made me think now as i can see the benefits of doing so.
Thanks for another excellent post Ian
Respect and regards, Barry
Barry Wells recently posted..The Benefits of Blog Hopping Keep Getting Better and Better
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Barry
Thanks for dropping in buddy, and for your comment as ever it’s really appreciated.
On another note before I continue Lewis Hamilton won this weekend’s German Grand Prix! Bet that made your weekend?
I was having this discussion with a colleague a couple of months ago ….
“Do you blog with a plan in mind, a mind map of the topics you want to cover, or do you just wing it?” It got me thinking.
There’s definitely a place for spontaneity in blogging, but there are also benefits to planning out your content in advance.
Why Should You Consider Planning Your Blog Content in Advance?
Here’s just a few of the benefits;
By mapping out a plan of posts, you can reduce your stress, work in advance, maintain consistency, and build anticipation.
Sitting down each day to think of a topic to write about and thoughts to share can become challenging.
When you’ve got a plan and know what your posts are about you can sit down and write them in advance.
Another advantage of writing in advance is that you can drop hints and let your readers know what’s coming up soon on your blog — build anticipation and draw them back!
If you don’t have product launches or special events happening, then you could use a series strategy where you pick a topic and write a series of posts on the topic. Do an overview post at the beginning, and then follow on with posts on different aspects of the subject.
In your first post, you can build interest by letting readers know what to watch for during the coming weeks. Invite questions with your posts and in your last post in addition to a wrap up you can also answer any questions on the topic.
Once you’ve got your plans in place you’ll find it’s easier to keep up with your blog and that your readers look forward to your regular series and features.
Thanks for your kind words buddy I appreciate it.
Take care mate, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..How to Optimize Your Site Architecture
Twitter: barry_wells
Hi Ian, you bet I enjoyed it my friend. It was much better cheering at the TV than shouting obscenities as I have been the last few races
Back to the post and reply:
I never have to sit and think what to post Ian as i have a list of topics and Ideas that I’d like to cover and as a new one shows it’s little head I add it to the list. Like the Kindle review I done, it was on my list for weeks but it was only because I saw it being briefly mentioned so much online that I thought it was the right time to publish an actual review of product and show people what they’ll get from it.
I do get what you mean about mentioning a teaser in posts about upcoming ones. It’s a valid point that I’ll give some thought to
I have some new products that i’m working on at moment and when they’re all done and ready for launching I’ll be writing a few posts in relation to the subject of the products so I’ll give it a try then mate.
When I first started the MC and got my blog online I saw others were posting about their progress and the course itself and I did think about doing that but had to have an operation that took 8 months bed rest and another operation to recover from. During which time I had to deal with falling further and further behind
then when I got up I had to bounce back and play catch up for months….
With Sally’s coaching I’ll be posting about it and passing on some of her teachings (only some though Sally
)
I see you’ve signed up as well Ian, fairplay mate, you do like a challenge don’t you
How many courses are you doing at the moment? 
Catch up soon Ian mate,
R&R Barry
Barry Wells recently posted..The Benefits of Blog Hopping Keep Getting Better and Better
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Barry
I knew you would be glued to the TV, mind you at one point I thought he had blown it!
Button has had a few problems with his car hasn’t he!
I think that’s another great idea mate making a list of the topics you want to cover in your posts and adding to it as a new one comes to mind. Sometimes topics are on your list which you intend to cover at a later date only to be brought forward by reading something in the media – like your Kindle Post (Which was brilliant by the way!)
I am looking forward to your new products as I know you have had your head down working hard on them… I’m in the queue mate!
Even though you were knocked back mate with your operations and recovery you have certainly bounced back with a drive and ambition you can be proud of; you are heading for great things Barry and I for one will be supporting you all the way!
Yes I have signed up to Sally’s Course, which along with JT’s Masterclass and my workshops with Liz Tomey are definitely going to keep me busy!
I really want to work hard this year and take action in building my online business and to learn as much as I can. I did think hard on my decision to join Sally’s program; if I was taking on too much? Will I have the time?
I know Sally has so much knowledge to pass on and I know I am going to really benefit from that knowledge which will hopefully get me one step closer to my goal.
Talking of challenges mate, I think this sums it up brilliantly: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=148753055175796
Take care buddy, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..How to Optimize Your Site Architecture
Hey Ian,
This series of posts you have here are great to keep in mind when putting your site on the web. The learning is enlightening.
You can take this information and create an eBook out of it. Thanks for sharing all this good useful info.
Keep up the good work and keep it coming.
Terry Conti
Terry Conti recently posted..Internet Marketing- The Learning Never Stops
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Terry
Hey Buddy, How’s it going!
Thanks a bunch for the comments and kind words Terry I really appreciate it mate.
The feedback I have received from comments and emails on the series has been so encouraging and supportive Terry. There are more posts to come in the series and maybe later in the year an e-Book!
I am glad you are enjoying the series mate, look forward to you joining me on the next post!
Take care, catch up soon buddy
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..Learning As You Go – The Internet Marketing Scene
Hi Ian,I really like the way you explaine basic architecture principles. This topic is easy to understand and this site is very informative and I am so lucky to find it.
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Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Waterpearls
Welcome back, Thanks for dropping in and leaving your comment I really appreciate it.
I am pleased that you have found the post interesting and that you have got some benefit from it.
Optimizing your site’s architecture requires a little work and planning, but you will reap the rewards in the long run.
Take care, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..Learning As You Go – The Internet Marketing Scene
Twitter: jmd164
Hi Ian,
Great post Ian, you explain things so well and written for all to easily understand.
This series has been very informative indeed, thank you so much for sharing.
Take Care
Cheers
Julie
Oh, and Highlighter seems to have reappeared – abit dodgy with the shares still though.
Julie recently posted..What’s Working Now -Part III
Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Julie
Thanks for dropping in and for your comment, I appreciate it.
I hope you had a relaxing and fun packed holiday?
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the series Julie, and if they are benefiting you in anyway then I am pleased.
There will be more posts to come in the series; hopefully you can join me on them too!
As for the highlighter plugin I am beginning to wonder if all the hassle I have had with it is worth it! It is very irritating lately!
Always nice to see you here Julie, look forward to your next visit.
Take care, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..Social Networks and Security Issues, How to Combat Them
It is very difficult that you have to learn about all these steps of SEO . But this is important thing. I’will should be work on it .Thanks for your kind information
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Twitter: IanIebablog
Hi Nicholas,
How are things? I apologise for the delay in my reply for some reason you ended up in the spam folder and I have just noticed it!
Thanks for dropping in and sharing your thoughts I really appreciate it
When optimizing your sites Architecture just remember the 3 principles:
Clear site architecture
Clear sites are easy to browse and satisfying. It’s all about making the paths to information easy to follow.
Search-optimized site architecture
To get the most of clear site architecture, you need to search-optimize it. Search-optimized site architecture begins with keyword research e.g.Blogging.
Search-optimized information management
As I mentioned in a previous Post “How to work with SEO in today’s marketplace” about creating unique content, Webmasters need to plan content ahead. It’s also important to use search optimization techniques when producing and publishing that content.
If you need to know anything more specific, just let me know and I wll do my best to help in any way I can.
Take care, catch up soon
Ian
Ian Ieba recently posted..Learn with Sally: Building Solid Traffic Foundations