Eliminating Doorway Pages for Enhanced Website Performance

The Downfall of Doorway Pages

Doorway pages, designed to rank highly for specific search queries and funnel users to a particular website, were a common SEO tactic in the past. These pages often contained little value for the user and were primarily created to manipulate search engine results. However, search engines like Google have become more sophisticated, penalizing sites that employ such deceptive practices. According to Google's Webmaster Guidelines, doorway pages can lead to a poor user experience and are considered a violation of these guidelines.

Crafting Content-Rich Webpages

A website typically comprises multiple pages, each covering a distinct yet related topic. It's crucial to have a robust navigational system where each page interlinks, creating a seamless user experience. For instance, a website dedicated to Internet Marketing might feature pages on various subtopics such as Ebook Marketing, Promotion, Ezines, and Search Engines.

Each page on your site serves as a potential entry point or 'doorway' for visitors. By optimizing each page with relevant content and meta tags, you can achieve favorable search engine rankings. Here are some guidelines to enhance your website's search engine placement:

Meta Tag Optimization

• Limit Meta Keywords: Aim for no more than three meta keywords or phrases per page to maintain relevance.
• Unique Keywords for Each Page: Tailor the keywords to the specific content of each page.
• Incorporate Keywords Strategically: Ensure your keywords are present in the title tag, description tag, and throughout the page content, especially near the top.

Content and Tagging Best Practices

• Relevant Keywords Only: Only list keywords that are actually present on the page.
• Utilize Alt and Comment Tags: Include keywords in alt tags for images and comment tags within your HTML code.
• Benefit-Driven Opening Statements: Start your page with a keyword-rich statement of benefits, mirroring your description meta tag.
• Emphasize Header Tags: Use header tags (like H1) for paragraph headings and infuse them with keywords.

Design Considerations for Search Engines

• Avoid Overuse of Flash and JavaScript: Search engines may struggle to index pages heavy with Flash, JavaScript, and other complex elements.
• Content is King: Provide a wealth of relevant content to keep search engine spiders engaged.
• Secure a Domain Name: Having your own registered domain name is often essential for achieving a top 10 search engine listing.

The Reality of Search Engine Traffic

There is no secret formula for securing a top ranking in search engines. With over 5,000 places to register a website, only about 10 search engines account for 90% of search engine traffic. Major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo are frequented by millions of users each week and offer the most comprehensive search capabilities.

Interesting stats that are often overlooked include the fact that, according to a study by Ahrefs, the average top-ranking page also ranks in the top 10 search results for nearly 1,000 other relevant keywords. This highlights the importance of creating versatile, content-rich pages that can rank for a multitude of search queries.

For more detailed guidelines on creating high-quality content and optimizing your website, refer to Google's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide and Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO.

By focusing on creating valuable, informative content and adhering to ethical SEO practices, you can improve your website's search engine rankings and attract a more engaged audience.