Image use and SEO

[oneeye]

I built my last site http://www.mortgageratesgroup.com using background images with h tags directly over the bg images. Am I out of my mind doing this instead of just using a normal image with an alt tag. Seemingly this would help the site (having the h tags) in the SEO arena. Is this approach a good or bad one?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Oneeye

[ronniethedodger]

Nice looking site Oneeye !!!

I don't see anything wrong with your approach. I do see a problem with how you implemented it though.

You are using successive H1, H2, and H3 tags properly...but to get over the Font size problem you are also introducing the FONT tag inside of the Hx tags themselves. I would suggest using stylesheets to control the font attributes of the H tags.

Also, the first sentence in the opening paragraphs following the H3 tags should be refined a little more. For example you have the following:

• Michigan Mortgage Assistant:
  Click on the Mortgage Assistant link to fill out the secure application and receive quotes for the current rates, points and fees offered by our Michigan lenders and Brokers...blah, blah, blah

I might suggest using the following:

• Michigan Mortgage Assistance:
  We offer mortgage assistance and quotes for current rates, points and fees from our Michigan lenders and brokers via a simple online secure application form. ...blah, blah, blah

I changed the word Assistants to Assistance, which may be a more sought after term overall. More importantly though I moved the more valuable keywords to the front in the first sentence following the H3 tag, putting the less relative stuff about forms to the rear and removed the word click. It is obvious just to the right of this that there are form links that you can click on and this word is doing you no good.

In general your paragraphs should start with a strong sentence that can practically stand on it's own and describe the paragraph content. The following sentences should elaborate in a little more detail. And the final sentence should make some type of conclusion.

Basicly your paragraphs are analyzed much like the Title is. More stress is given to what appears at the beginning, and less towards the end.

[oneeye]

Thanks for the advice. Actually the h tags are controlled by styles, I just didn't think to remove the Font tag. Iam glad you pointed this out! Thank you for your time, this has been a big help.

Thanks

Oneeye