Website optimization

Sure, there has been a lot said on optimizing websites. But what if you don't want to spend your time on learning website optimization, but want to hire a specialist to do the job? How do you find, choose and work with the professional?

When do I need the services?

One of the most important things to do is to decide, whether you need outside assistance or not. Sometimes, this may be the core factor of (dis)satisfaction, when working with a site optimization person.

It is about two years that I have been studying copywriting, SEO, SEM, HTML/CSS, usability, accessibility and all that and I noticed a couple of interesting things.

The learning process

As it always happens when learning something, some things evolved and some things remained constant. A lot of information (articles, tips on forums, blog posts, etc) illuminate a certain aspect of website optimization and you either become more confident in your current knowledge or update it with the new information.

Last week on the Cre8PC blog Kim Krause Berg mentioned two new usability documents released by Larry Constantine. The post led me to one of Larry's older documents entitled Beyond User-Centered Design and User Experience: Designing for User Performance, which I have just recently read. The previous link will take you to a page where you can download the PDF.

Generally, when you learn a new website optimization technique or SEO trick, you are eager to try it out on your site with hopes of reaping immediate dividends. But how really quick you need to optimize your site?

If the knowledge you received has been proven by others and there is no chance it may be a waste of time (like writing quality content, for instance), you surely can start implementing it on your site. But instead of simply jumping the gun with website optimization, you'd rather improve your site in little steps and there are several reasons for such a schedule.