Search Engine Optimization basics

I'm adapting a series of Identity Marketing magazine columns for blog posts over at the eBlox e-commerce blog. These articles focus on the basic search engine optimization for folks that are just beginning to try and optimize their content. The first article is available today, and subsequent posts should be out roughly every week or so. Check it out.

Another cool free web site creation tool

SynthaSite looks like a pretty well-designed, easy to use web site creation tool. The service is free and does not display ads on your site. Sites are simple to create with a drag and drop interface. I haven't checked it out in detail, but if you're interested in free web site creation tools, this might be a good one to add to your short list. Check it out here.

Flash may now be indexed by Google and Yahoo

Adobe announced today that they are providing a method for the major search engines to index Flash content. I have always recommended against extensive (or total) use of Flash for your site if you wish to be properly indexed and garner good search rankings. It looks like at least part of that problem is solved. I still recommend against using Flash for information-rich sites like e-commerce (it's just too expensive to duplicate all that content for non-Flash users like mobile users) but for those of you with mainly brochure-style content on your site, this new method of crawling Flash sites might benefit you. Read a full writeup at TechCrunch here.