Do we need the Keywords tag?

For some time now I have been trying to work out if it is worth using #Keywords in the head section of a web site. I have been reading blog posts and watching videos on this subject for over a year now and the consensus seems to be as follows:

1. Don't bother with them as the search engines pay no attention to them at all.
2. Use them if you wish as some search engines do use them.

the argument seems to be a 50/50 split of opinion.

Reading what Matt Cutts from Google tells us, it seems okay to ignore the keyword tag.
Duane Forrester from Bing says the same but use them if you want to.

I have studied this question for some time now. I was happy with that scenario but something has been bugging me for a while now. Its simply this....

Why has Google got a Keyword planner tool?
Why has Bing webmaster tools have a keyword research facility.

Why does SEMRush have a good tool for this. The same with Optimizely. both excellent services.

Is somebody pulling the wool over our eyes or should we carry on using them regardless. I think that I will keep using them simply because they are there to be used.

What do you think. please let me know.

My next project is to find out what the difference is between these two tags:

1. <title></title>
2. <meta name="title" content=""/>

Sounds like a Job for A/B testing.

Let me know your thoughts.

Peter

enquiries@pjdwebdesign.co.uk

www.pjdwebdesign.co.uk

Choosing HTML or CMS

As I surf the internet (as I often do). I often wonder why people use different platforms such as Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal or HTML.

I think it would be a good idea to consider which platform to use whwn you think about having a website in the first place. Ask yourself a couple of basic questions like:

• Who is going to manage the site once it has been made
• How many people need access to the site for changes
• How often are changes to the site likely to be made 

If it is just going to be you and nobody else then it would probably be a good idea to use HTML as it gives you maximum control . You can use programs like Adobe Contribute to share work when you need to.

If several people are going to be involved in changing the site content, it would be more advantageous to use a Content Management System (CMS). Once you have the site looking and behaving as you would like. Other users can create and edit the content with various levels of permissions. You still stay in control of course as you would be the site administrator with the ability to edit everything.

I am a fan of hand coding but time constraints mean that I use 3rd party software as well. In Particular, Dreamweaver from Adobe.

There are definite advantages to doing thing differently. Make sure that you look to the future of your website and that will help you decide. The old adage of 'Horses for Courses' will serve you well.

Our website design company offers free advice to all so it costs nothing to ask.

What do you think?