Introduction
Whether you’re selling products or services online, optimizing your website for SEO is essential. You want to make sure that when a potential customer types in their search query, your website appears near the top of the results page.
But how do you ensure your website can be found in the vast sea of search engine results? One key factor lies in which website development platform you choose: WordPress or pure HTML and CSS.
Today, we’ll dive into the differences between WordPress and pure HTML and CSS websites, evaluating which option is better for SEO and why. We’ll also look at some of the advantages (and drawbacks) of each platform. So if you want to boost your SEO rankings and give your business the visibility it deserves, read on!
What Is WordPress and What Benefits Does It Provide?
When it comes to website development, you’re presented with two main options: WordPress or pure HTML/CSS. Depending on your business, one may be better suited for your needs. Understanding what each one offers is key for making an informed decision.
Let’s start with WordPress. Simply put, WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to quickly and easily build and manage your website. It is open-source and free, making it both popular and highly customizable. Unlike pure HTML/CSS websites where coding knowledge is a must, WordPress requires little to no coding knowledge due to its user-friendly “drag and drop” feature allowing you to create content without prior coding experience.
WordPress also comes with essential SEO tools such as Yoast SEO which can optimize your website for search engine crawling, making it easier for search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo! to find your site and improve its ranking in search results pages (SERPs). Additionally, WordPress websites are more likely to rank higher due to their fresh content updates which help crawlers know that your website remains active.
How Does Website Design Affect SEO?
When it comes to SEO, the way your website is designed does matter. Whether your website is built with WordPress or another coding language such as HTML or CSS, you can make sure that it’s SEO-friendly by following a few steps.
WordPress
Although WordPress is a great platform for creating customized websites, its code can be heavier than other platforms, and loading speed matters when it comes to SEO. To counter this, pick one of the most updated themes available and use plugins to streamline your coding — that way you get the esthetics you want without going over on load time.
HTML/CSS
For those seeking a truly custom design experience, coding in HTML and/or CSS can give you the look and feel you want for your website but requires more research on best practices for SEO-friendly design. Clean up spammy links and anchor texts, create keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions; these are some tips that will help boost search engine ranking of a website coded in HTML/CSS.
No matter which platform you choose for your website design, focus on making sure all content is optimized for both users and search engine crawlers — use keywords strategically throughout all content within the site but don’t go overboard with stuffing keywords into content (especially meta tags). That’s a surefire way to get flagged by search engines!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to website development and design, it’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re looking to achieve maximum SEO performance and are no expert in code, then WordPress is typically going to be the best choice. On the other hand, if you have coding skills and the budget to hire a web developer, then a custom HTML/CSS website could be the way to go.
Ultimately, the best website development solution for you will depend on your individual needs, budget, and SEO goals. A SEO consultant should be able to provide you with professional advice on the best route for your business. Whichever path you decide to take, make sure to do it with the perspective of SEO in mind and the support of a knowledgeable professional.