How Much is Too Much: Javascript, SEO and Your Practice Web Site

More and more Web sites seem to be embracing Javascript as a plethora of new frameworks have popped up in the past few years, offering quick and easy production of behavior level effects.

As far as SEO is concerned, we at cosmeticSEO.com like to replace Flash components with Javascript when necessary, as we tend to think that if we can create a similar effect while keeping data crawlable, our clients will ultimately receive a greater benefit when their pages’ rank is determined.

However, while Google does not penalize for the use of Javascript (doing so would just be nonsense), an overuse of Javascript can render a page uncrawlable.

As a developer speaking to plastic and cosmetic surgeons, here are a few recommendations to tell your Web masters:

• If you see long segments of code between script tags - this is a big no-no. Have your Web master externalize the on-page scripts. Such bad practice can stop a search spider in its tracks.
• Do you have a drop down menu? Check your source code. Today, most drop down functionality and image rollovers can be achieved using CSS alone. Rid the Javascript from these familiar on page components.
• Have a slide show that merely changes opacity? Again nix the Flash for fast loading Javascript effects libraries. This is a good way to optimize images and/or to use background images in conjunction with keyword dense text.
• Make your Javascript unobtrusive. Be sure that your page functions flawlessly for users who choose to browse with scripts turned off. This is also a good benchmark for determining if spiders can easily crawl your site. Most spiders do not execute Javascript, and as such, by adhering to Web standards, you will have made the best effort to create a human and spider accessible Web site.

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