Websites 'should not try to cheat search engines'

11:33 17th June 2009

Businesses that are setting up a website have been urged to avoid trying to cheat sites such as Google.

Stuart Spice, co-founder of Mr Site, said firms that are developing a search engine optimisation (SEO) strategy stand to be penalised if they take shortcuts, reports the Mirror.

For instance, he warned that if they try to place white keywords on a white background so they cannot, or repeat their key phrases too many times, Google will not consider the site in their rankings.

"You'll be penalised with your site slipping down the results pages," Mr Spice commented.

"They have strict policies."

Mr Spice added that firms that are designing a website need to plan the content they intend to include in advance, such as the important keywords and phrases.

He also suggested that the most important content be placed at the top of each page.

This comes after SEO expert Garret Pierson wrote in his Search Engine Journal blog that website designers properly research their keywords in order for their campaigns to be successful.