Many people are confused about the fundamental differences between Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and SEO Web Design. This article attempts to clarify the differences for people just entering or thinking of entering the web site arena.

SEO is the ongoing process of improving your websites volume and quality of traffic through what is called "organic" or "natural" search results ie. Google, MSN, Yahoo. SEO web design is the first step required for effective search engine optimisation, and involves the proper structuring and programming of your websites code through what are called on site optimisation techniques. SEO continues after this with what is called off site optimisation techniques.

Another way to look at it is SEO web design is like building a beautiful boat and setting it to sail on its own, it could do OK, but SEO is like giving your boat a Captain and crew to make sure it gets it to its destination.

Can you just do SEO Web Design? Absolutely! And for a lot of people just starting out on the internet, this is sometimes the best solution. Truly effective SEO does require an effective marketing plan and therefore bigger budget and time commitment between both the company and SEO firm. This can sometimes be intimidating to prospective clients who are struggling to get their heads around the whole internet thing and how it applies to their business to start with. SEO Web Design is a one off cost, whereas SEO is an ongoing monthly cost that needs to be factored into the client's budget.

All the websites we design are designed for SEO from the start. Our experience has shown that once a client has got comfortable with their website and can see some search engine results, they really start to see the potential of it as a marketing tool for their business. More often than not, they want to select more keywords or improve the rankings on their current keywords or both. This is where ongoing SEO comes in. Having the site already coded correctly can save a large amount of time and money.