GUIDELINES :: Information for webmasters and web site ownersSubmit URL Provided your company or organization offers products or services of specific interest to the diving public, we invite you to submit a request to add your web site to the Scuba Search Index. Editors review each request according to these guidelines. If you follow the guidelines listed here, you will significantly enhance the probability your request will be approved. General Design and Content Guidelines 1. Design for users: Design your site for users, not search engines. 2. Keep it simple: Design clean, easy-to-read pages that deliver information without clutter and gimmicks. 3. Shorter is better: Many sites are choking on excess verbiage and graphics. Don't overwrite and don't fill pages with unnecessary graphics. 4. Accurate page title tags and alt tags: Make sure your graphics have accurate alt tags and check often for missing graphics. Page titles should be short and accurate. Avoid spamming TITLE tags with keyword lists that deliver exactly the wrong message to consumers: "We're desperate, we're dishonest and we care more about search engine robots than our customers." - Good title: "Dive Ocean Blue in Paradise Island Oceania"
- Bad title: Paradise Island, Oceania, Scuba Diving, PADI Courses, Beachfront Bungalows, Boat Diving, Dive Gear with Dive Ocean Blue
5. Text on white backgrounds: There is a reason why most books, magazines and newspapers put black text on white paper: It's easy to read. The web is mostly about reading. Be kind to your site visitors. Avoid ugly backgrounds that scream: "MY COMPANY IS SO POOR, IT CAN'T AFFORD A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED WEB SITE." |
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6. Links and navigation: Your navigation links should be easy to understand and use, should inform site visitors where they are, and should be consistent throughout your site. Check often for broken links. 7. Consistent design theme: Repetitive elements such as color and graphics ensure that every page in your site looks like it belongs to the same site. 8. Flash, splash, blinking and animation: Web users want information and they want it fast. Don't fill your site with "look what I found" stuff that annoys people and never prostitute your site to bad web designers who decorate sites with flash and other "look what I can do" gimmicks. 9. Rates page: If you are selling something, be sure your site has a Rates page that clearly lists your prices and/or fees. 10. Browser compatability and monitor resolution: Make sure your site looks the same in different browsers and works on different screen resolutions. Specific Recommendations and Warnings 1. Link exchange schemes: Again, this sends exactly the wrong message to site visitors: "We're desperate, shameless scammers who will do anything for a better page ranking." Companies that get involved in these scams will not be added to the Scuba Search Index. 2. Banner exchange schemes: People don't want to see junk ads on your site. Avoid banner exchange schemes. 3. Annoying Google ads: Companies that prostitute their sites to Google's ugly and annoying box ads will not be added to the Scuba Search Index. If you have a site that attracts advertisers, set up your own advertising system and sell banners and/or links directly to your clients. 4. Spamming the TITLE tag: Again, this sends exactly the wrong message to consumers. Companies that spam TITLE tags with keyword lists will not be added to the Scuba Search Index. 5. Junk: Avoid page counters, scrolling text, cutesy navigation buttons, pictures of meaningless awards, things that blink including text, animated pictures for email, "Under Construction" signs, floating navigation bars, meaningless polls, flash and splash pages. 6. Distracting backgrounds: The quick and easy fix for most ugly web sites is to simply remove the cheezy background theme image. 7. Tables as design elements: Don't use tables as a design element. 8. Avoid frames and scrollbars: As a general rule avoid frames and scrollbars. 9. Eliminate dated content: Sites that contain dated pages promoting last year's specials look as if they have been abandoned. Be sure your site is updated regularly. 10. Avoid hidden text, hidden links: Another common spamming technique that has mostly disappeared since major search engines started removing spammers from their indexes. Add Scuba Search™ to your web site | 