Table-based website design and search engine optimisation

We have many enquiries to optimise table-based websites, which is rather like asking to put a Ferrari engine into a tractor. Yes, it may be possible but the result would be a compromised, as it is then neither a Ferrari nor useful tractor.

Websites "should" be optimised to achieve your goals from the bottom up. Hence, we thought it would be a good idea to provide some free guidance on the subject.

The purpose of tables is to contain tabular data. A common use would be to collect information to add to a database i.e. a contact form or order form.

All too many website designers have exploited tables to create websites. These, commonly, are DIY website packages or website templates purchased "off the shelf". However, there are still those who will charge for new custom websites and use tables to create them.

A compliant website will always out perform a table-based website because:

• Table-based website design generates a lot of extraneous code
• Websites are slower to load, as a browser needs to pre-load everything locally before displaying it on-screen. As a result slower load time generates ranking penalties.
• Search engines need to work harder to establish the content away from the structure. This is never a good idea!
• Table-based websites are fixed in size so compromise either modern display technology or older legacy systems. Hence, no one wins.
• Table-based websites cannot conform to accessibility requirements so the visitor cannot change the font or font size via their browser. This gains additional penalty points.
• Modifying table-based websites cost more as each table needs to be changed to accommodate any new additions or deletions to the structure
• Table-based websites do not comply with current standards so in reality they are “outmoded”.

For these reasons, it would not be advisable to try to optimise a table-based website. No matter what is done it will always be penalised versus an equally matched compliant website.

To optimise the website it will need to rewritten using HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). However, this may not be as expensive as you think. Using compliant standards is actually quicker and far easier, once you have the expertise, to create websites. All non compliant penalties removed the website can be optimised further to obtain your goals.

How do I know if you have a table-based website? Simple on any web page you can view the code. To do this load your website into a browser, select ”VIEW” from the main menu and then select either “CODE” or “SOURCE CODE”.

If the code is full of the following: <TABLE> <TR> and <TD> then you have a table-based website. However, if you have any doubts you can just ask us to look, no obligation, and we will let you know.

We have a lot of experience in converting table-based websites into optimised compliant websites. The results are always pleasing and the return on investment is usually within 90 days.

So call us on 01285 711699 or email us and we will be happy to provide a “no obligation” quote.