In this digital age, having a website is crucial for homebuilders, but having a website isn’t enough. For your website to reach its full potential, it’s essential to make sure it’s optimized for search engines so homebuyers can find you. One way to achieve that is by optimizing your website structure. A well-structured website can make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site, increasing your visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), and driving more traffic to your website.
What is website structure?
A website’s structure is the foundation upon which all other components are built. It refers to the organization and arrangement of a website’s content, pages, links, and navigation. Essentially, the website structure is the way users can navigate and find information easily.
Let’s explore the key elements you need to optimize in your website structure for better SEO results.
Navigation
Clear and intuitive navigation is essential for both user experience and SEO. Users should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily, and search engines should be able to understand the structure of your site. To optimize your website navigation, ensure that you use descriptive page titles and appropriate categories. Avoid using generic terms like “Homes” or “Services” and instead use specific descriptive terms like “Find Your New Home” or “Build Your New Home”. This helps search engines understand what your website is about and makes it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
Page titles and URLs:
Your page titles and URLs are crucial elements of your website structure. They provide both users and search engines with information about the content of your pages. To optimize your page titles and URLs, use keywords that accurately describe the content of your pages. Keep them short and descriptive, as longer titles and URLs can be difficult to read and may be truncated in search results.
Header tags
In addition to optimizing your page titles and URLs, you should also use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to structure the content on your pages. Header tags provide an easy way to break up text into sections, making it easier for users to read and for search engines to understand the content of your pages. Use H1 tags for your main page title and H2 tags for subheadings. Be careful not to overload your content with too many header tags, as this can negatively impact SEO.
Internal links
Internal links are links that connect different pages on your website. They’re important because they help search engines understand the hierarchy of your website and navigate through your site. To create effective internal links, link to related pages within your website and use descriptive anchor text. Anchor text is the text that appears in the hyperlink. Instead of saying “follow this link” describe the main topic of the page you’re linking to like “Here’s how SEO and web design work together.” Avoid overloading your pages with too many links as it can lead to clutter and confusion for users.
Sitemaps
A sitemap is a file on your website that provides an overview of the structure of your website and all its pages. Sitemaps are useful because they help search engines understand the structure of your website and the content on each page. To create and submit a sitemap, use an XML format, and submit it to search engines like Google and Bing. A sitemap can assist in identifying technical issues on your website that may affect SEO, like broken links or duplicate content.
A well-structured website not only makes it easier for search engines to index and understand your content but also provides a better user experience and drives more traffic to your website. So, take the time to review and update your website structure to improve your SEO performance. Remember, ultimately, the goal is to create a website that not only ranks well in search engines but also engages users and encourages them to interact with your content.
Builder-centric website design
Our industry-leading home builder websites stand the test of time with sophisticated design and super-smart technology that will set you apart from the competition and allow you to capitalize on new home-buying trends. If you’re considering a brand new builder website, schedule a digital marketing consultation to see what we can create for you.