SiteDirector is getting a facelift! We are going to be releasing a version of SiteDirector that is completely CSS/XHTML Validated code.

This will be for the front end of the store website. The console will still have tables.

The new design will be completely tableless (except where tables are required for "data" output). All managed through CSS and will cross-browser compatible.

Our last version release v4.5 was a major re-work with alot of code changes as many of you know. This was to prepare for this release of our CSS version.

We will also be implementing this next version in our demo area so everyone can see the new look (hopefully by Wednesday).

We are very excited about this, as quality CSS shopping carts are hard to come by and this will be beneficial to everyone.

With this new look and coding style, we can help integrate your old site into the new look and feel. After this release (later this week), you can submit your designs and we can look them over for you. Contact Paul Giesenhagen for more details.

Using Semantic CSS is one more step at gaining better SEO. CSS allows for Search Engines to easily read your content, using code to display important information, giving you that extra step and advantage.

Looking forward to the release!

Those of you ecommerce folks who are building your stores pages and writing copy for your product pages and even your content pages.. well for that matter ANY copy you write, always keep SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in the forefront of your mind.

When writing copy for your website, always consider what you are saying and if you can say with keywords instead of just simple text. Utilizing keywords that represent the page and the content of the page will do you more good when it comes to search engine optimization than if you just use simple words.

When building your ecommerce pages consider what is important to get listed high on the search engines and then utilize those keywords, fill your pages rich with them.

Example: If you are talking about "Nike Tennis Shoes" don't just call them shoes, call them "Nike Airforce More 180 Basketball Shoes" Use the product title, not the generic term. This will help Search Engines define your page.

Now don't get carried away with this either, spend time writing copy that 1) People can read and THEN 2) What Search Engines will eat up.

Your Shopping site will benefit much more when you are paying attention and using keywords.

*** Note, See all the italicized words? Those are hightlights throughout this post that are utilizing keywords, ecommerce, SEO, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine.. Just an example of how this page should rank for what words over time.

I hope this helps!

In my previous Blog - SEO Whats it worth, I talked about the importance and how we can get caught up or freaking out about Search Engine Optimization. I did alittle thinking and came up with my list of important things that are easy for a storefront owner to accomplish as they tweak their site and not break the bank or cause sore fingers.

Jason Fill commented and I completely agree, content is the first and most important thing you can do, write good content, utilizing good keywords on your site (without overdoing it either). Organizing your content/product pages on your site should be your first step towards a quality site. Make it easy for customers/users/browsers to find information on your site. Make that information relative and informative. I mentioned this in another blog post It's All About Selling Your Product. If you give great information about your product or information, your users will return or buy from you.

[More]