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Is SEO Part of a Web Developer’s Responsibilities?
Context
Imagine you’ve designed and developed a website for a small business that lacks a dedicated marketing department.
Your Contributions
As a web developer, you’ve implemented SEO best practices by optimizing meta tags, titles, and filenames. You’ve ensured efficient CSS and JavaScript, validated code, and tested page loading speeds. In essence, you’ve covered the basics of technical SEO. Additionally, you’ve submitted a sitemap to search engines and assisted the business in generating quality backlinks.
The Challenge
A month passes, and the site is receiving few impressions or clicks. The business approaches you, expressing their disappointment at the lack of return on investment for a website they paid good money for.
How Should You Respond?
Update: Thank you for all the valuable insights! 👍
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2 responses to “Is a web developer also responsible for SEO and site search performance?”
When a developer builds a website, especially for a small business with no dedicated marketing department, it is common for questions regarding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) responsibilities to arise. Let’s explore this topic and consider an appropriate response in the scenario you’ve described.
Responsibilities of a Web Developer in SEO
These factors contribute significantly to the website’s foundation regarding search performance.
On-Page seo:
Developers can influence seo by ensuring content is structured correctly using semantic HTML (e.g., headings, lists).
Beyond Technical SEO:
Addressing Client Concerns
In your scenario where a month later, the website yields minimal impressions or clicks, and the business expresses dissatisfaction:
Potential Response:
You might explain the separation of roles and the ongoing nature of SEO:
Dear Client,
I appreciate your concerns regarding the website’s performance. I understand your expectation for the website to generate significant traffic and return on investment.
When developing your site, I implemented several foundational steps critical to SEO, such as SEO-friendly meta tags, optimized file structures, and efficient site code. These efforts align with what can be classified as “Technical SEO,” setting a strong baseline for search engine visibility.
However, SEO is a multi-faceted and ongoing process that involves various strategies beyond the initial technical setup. This encompasses:
This is a fascinating discussion! As web developers, we often find ourselves at the intersection of design, functionality, and marketing. While our primary expertise lies in building robust and efficient websites, I believe that a foundational understanding of SEO is indeed critical to our role, particularly for clients without dedicated marketing resources.
One aspect that often gets overlooked is the ongoing nature of SEO. It’s not just about implementing best practices at launch; rather, it requires continuous monitoring and adjustment. After the initial optimization, it’s crucial to analyze user behavior through tools like Google Analytics to gain insights into how visitors are interacting with the site. This can guide further improvements and help to identify new keywords or content opportunities that can drive more traffic.
Additionally, collaborating with content creators can significantly enhance the site’s SEO performance. Encouraging a synergy between developers and content strategists can result in a more holistic approach to the website’s success. Perhaps in cases like the one outlined, part of the solution could involve setting up an ongoing strategy for content updates and seo audits, ensuring that the site remains competitive in search rankings.
Ultimately, while seo knowledge is essential, fostering a relationship with clients that includes ongoing support and education about marketing strategies can elevate the overall effectiveness of the website. What are your thoughts on integrating more marketing insights into web development processes?