Applications

Web applications are websites that a user interacts with in some way.

Web applications can be as simple as an input form that sends an email, to a complex content management, or ecommerce website.

Although web applications can be simple or complex, or anywhere in-between, normally, people refer to web applications when talking about more complex interactive websites.

Search Engine Friendliness in Web Applications

Web applications, by their nature have some restrictions in how they can interact with search engine spidering software.  However, in order for a website that relies on an integral application to generate any significant traffic from search engines, overcoming these restrictions is vital.

There are many technologies that can be used to improve the user experience in web applications.   For example, AJAX is a modern and convenient method that combines JavaScript in a users browser with calls to the web server to process information while the users continues to interact with a web page.  However, it is difficult for search engine spiders to interact with the website in this way, and consequently, search engines may never see content presented in this way.

On the other hand, AJAX, and other interactive technologies can dramatically improve the usability and user experience of web applications. Importantly, they can have a significantly positive impact on the time it takes for a web application to guide a user through complex processes.

Using AJAX Effectively

As AJAX and similar technologies can dramatically improve the efficiency and user experience of web applications, it is important that they are considered for user interfaces.  As search engines struggle to interact with such technologies, it is also important to plan effectively how search engines interact with web applications, such that the important information that a search engine must find is not hidden behind an AJAX interface.

AJAX is only one small part of the technology of a web application. Careful design and planning can allow complex web applications to be successful both in the sense of having a slick and professional AJAX-based interface, and yet maintaining a search engine friendly immediacy of content that does not require AJAX to navigate to.

Other Web Application Considerations

Web applications often require users to log in to undertake many of the tasks.  Determining what a user must be logged in to do, and what any public user should be able to do is important as this also has an impact on how much of a web application can be indexed by a search engine.  Clearly, search engines cannot find any content that would require them to log in first.

Certain web sites allow search engines to view content that a human user would have to log in to view.  This, however, is a grey area and could be considered as cloaking in many circumstances, and therefore is best avoided unless there is a strong justification for considering.

Planning a Web Application

Web applications can become much more complex than they need to be.  The best, and most effective, web applications are those that seem simple to use (no matter how complex they are under the skin).  Google is an excellent example of a complex application, made easy for a user by having a simple and well-planned interface.

In order to make your web application a success, it is vital to plan it well, considering the users as at least as important as the data that the web application must manage.

To find out how Indiciumweb can help you plan your web application, phone us during office hours on 0871 900 8407 or contact us now.