When we quote development jobs for potential clients, we are often asked to develop a search engine optimized website. This usually leads me into a lengthy explanation of how developing a website to be search engine friendly is not the same as optimizing that website for search performance. Kind of like building a car is not the same as preparing it to compete in the Indy 500. Those are two completely different tasks.

Let me explain.

The SEO provider or consultant should be involved in the website development process, although those two roles are completely different. The developer designs and creates the front and back of the website. A good developer can do that job well, but they mainly do it to work for the user, not the search engines. SEO should be involved to ensure that what the developer produces is as search engine friendly as possible.

Most web design and development companies don’t know anything about SEO or building SE friendly websites. And most of those who claim to be are liars. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is.

Tip: If your web developer says they will SEO your website for you as part of the one-time design fee, they are lying. If they tell you that they will develop a search engine friendly or SEO ready site, then they are more likely to know what they are talking about.

Let me be clear: Design or program a search engine optimized website simply cannot be done. Design or program a search engine friendly can website.

Design/development and SEO are two completely different things, although closely related. Each one, however, requires a completely different set of skills. Most SEOs don’t claim to be web developers (although some are), but interestingly enough, many web designers claim to be SEO capable (although most cannot).

The SEO process requires hours of additional research and a skill set that is not usually included as part of a site development contract. There are some development companies that also specialize in SEO and Marketing and these companies can develop and participate in long-term optimization services. But be aware that any short-term website development contract that claims to include SEO simply will not provide adequate or successful SEO marketing results.

It’s very smart to find a web developer who can create a search engine friendly website, but be aware of claims that SEO services are included. It’s even smart to find an SEO who will work with your web developer to create a search engine friendly website fully compatible with your optimization processes. This saves the SEO from having to request numerous costly site development changes to start a successful SEO campaign.