Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Reviewing Head Content
All Web pages contain head content. Remember that head content refers to anything that
is placed within the <head> tags of Web pages. Users usually cannot see elements that
are placed in the head of a page when the page is viewed in a browser. Head content
typically either adds functionality to a page when viewed in a browser or provides infor-
mation about the page for search engines. For example, you placed <title> tags in the
head of each page to display a page title in the title bar of a browser window. Two tags
commonly inserted into the head that add functionality to a page are:
Base. Enters the desired base URL for the page's document relative links.
Link. Links an external style sheet to a page.
Search engines use head content to learn about a page by looking for information in
some meta tags included in the head of Web pages. A meta tag holds information about
the page, gives information to the Web server, or adds functionality to the page. For
example, the page description that many search engines display in their search results
is pulled from the description meta tag. In addition to the page description, you use
meta tags to add information such as keywords, author names, and a copyright state-
ment to the code of a Web page. The exact purpose of each meta tag is defi ned by its
attributes. You can use more than one meta tag in a page. The buttons to add meta tags in
Dreamweaver are:
Meta. Inserts a generic meta tag into the head and enables you to set attributes, values,
and content for the meta tag.
Keywords. Inserts a meta tag with the attribute name=”keywords” into the head, which
enables you to enter keywords for the page. The keywords meta tag is one of the most
frequently used meta tags.
Description. Inserts a meta tag with the attribute name=”description” into the head,
which enables you to enter a description for the page. The description meta tag is one
of the most frequently used meta tags.
Refresh. Inserts a meta tag with the attribute http-equiv=”refresh” into the head, which
enables you to enter the amount of delay, in seconds, before the page is refreshed and
choose whether to refresh the current page or open a new URL. Refreshing to a new
URL is often used when a site has moved, redirecting users who visit the old URL to
the new location.
You'll add keywords and a meta description to the head content of pages in the
NextBest Fest site.
Optimizing Web Pages for Search Engine
Placement
Optimizing the pages in a Web site for search engine placement is an important part of
designing a Web site because search engines enable people to fi nd the site. Optimizing
a page means doing everything you can to the page to ensure that it is ranked highly in
target search engines. Each search engine has a different set of formulas that determine
page placement. These placement formulas change frequently and are a closely guarded
secret to prevent designers from using this information to manipulate page placement.
Optimizing Web pages does not automatically get them placed in search engines, but
the practice will help a site receive higher listings when it is listed. Not having a Web site
listed appropriately with search engines is like having a business located in an unmarked
building with no published address: There is no way for people to know about the amaz-
ing things inside.
Of the many things you can do to optimize Web pages for search engine placement,
the two most basic things you should do to every Web page are to add keywords and a
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