What is the best way to structure an html document for seo and accessibility?

by harrison.goodwin , in category: SEO , a year ago

What is the best way to structure an html document for seo and accessibility?

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1 answer

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by dorothea , a year ago

@harrison.goodwin 

To structure an HTML document for both SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and accessibility, you should follow these best practices:

  1. Use Proper HTML Markup: Use semantically correct HTML tags to indicate the purpose and meaning of the content. For example, use for headings, for paragraphs, for navigation menus, etc. Make sure to have a proper document structure with , , , and potentially elements. Avoid the use of deprecated or obsolete tags.
  2. Add Descriptive Page Titles: Use tags to provide descriptive and relevant titles for each page. Keep titles concise, usually under 60 characters to ensure they display properly in search engine results.
  3. Include Meta Description: Use to provide a concise summary of the page content. Make it unique for each page and less than 160 characters for better visibility in search results.
  4. Use Proper Heading Structure: Employ heading tags ( to ) in a hierarchical manner to structure content. Use only one heading per page, representing the main topic, and progressively use lower level headings to structure subtopics.
  5. Add Alt Text to Images: Use the alt attribute in tags to provide descriptive and meaningful alternative text for images. Alt text improves accessibility for visually impaired users and helps search engines understand the image content.
  6. Implement Proper Linking: Use descriptive anchor text (link text) that represents the linked page or content instead of generic phrases like "click here". Use proper contextual links to provide extra information or references. Use proper anchor tags to create a more structured and semantic navigation flow.
  7. Provide Proper Accessibility Attributes: Implement accessibility attributes such as "aria-label", "aria-labelledby", and "aria-describedby" to enhance accessibility for screen readers and assistive technologies. Ensure keyboard navigability, meaning users can navigate and interact with the site using only a keyboard without relying on mouse or touch-based inputs.
  8. Ensure Page Load Speed: Optimize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for faster page loading times. Compress and resize images appropriately without sacrificing quality. Minimize HTTP requests by consolidating CSS and JavaScript files.
  9. Mobile-Friendly Design: Make sure your HTML document is responsive and adapts well to various screen sizes and devices. Use media queries, viewport meta tags, and responsive design techniques to ensure a fluid user experience on mobile devices.
  10. Properly Structured Content: Use headings, lists, and semantic markup to organize and structure your content. Write clear and concise content that is easy to read and understand, both for users and search engines.


Always keep in mind that while these practices help improve SEO and accessibility, the most important aspect is to prioritize user experience and provide valuable, relevant content. These guidelines are a starting point but should be combined with a comprehensive SEO and accessibility strategy.