You asked three designers for a quote. All three contain the same phrase: "SEO friendly website". One includes it in the basic package, one lists it as an extra, and one gives no explanation at all. You wonder what exactly you are buying.
You are right to ask, because the phrase is everywhere and nobody means the same thing by it. For some it is a few settings; for others it is real preparation. In this article I explain what an SEO friendly website reasonably covers, what it definitely does not, and which questions to ask your designer.
What does "SEO friendly" actually mean?
SEO is the general name for the work that helps your site get found on Google without paying for ads. An "SEO friendly" site is built on a foundation that does not block that work and makes it easier. Think of a building: an SEO friendly site is one where the wiring and plumbing were done properly. Getting customers through the door is a separate job.
So the phrase describes a starting point, not a result.
What should it reasonably include?
If a quote says this, you can reasonably expect the following.
Speed. Your pages should open in a sensible time, especially on a phone. If visitors wait a few seconds and leave, it is harder for Google to put you forward. Large, uncompressed photos are the most common cause.
Phone-friendly layout. Text should be readable and buttons easy to tap on a phone screen. A large share of visitors arrive on mobile.
Page titles and descriptions. Each page should have its own title and two-line description, the text that appears under your site's name in Google. The same title repeated on every page is not a good sign.
Tidy structure. Home, service pages, about and contact should follow a logical order and link to each other. If each service has its own page, Google understands what you offer more easily. Page addresses should be readable, not random strings of letters and numbers.
Secure connection. The padlock should show in the address bar. This is now considered a basic requirement.
Visibility to Google. Nothing should stop Google from seeing the site, and the site should be made known to Google.
Image descriptions. Photos should have short descriptions of what they show, which helps visually impaired visitors as well as search engines.
What does it not include?
This is where the costliest misunderstanding lives. An SEO friendly site does not include:
- A ranking guarantee. Nobody can guarantee your site will appear in a given position for a given search. Google decides. Treat any quote that promises it with suspicion.
- Ongoing work. When the site is handed over, the foundation is ready. Creating content, adding pages, watching competitors and reporting are separate monthly jobs.
- Written content. What the pages say often depends on information you supply. Articles that answer your customers' questions are usually a separate item.
- Map listing and reviews work. For local businesses, the Google business listing and reviews matter, but they are separate from building the site.
- Advertising. Paid ads are another subject.
A quick summary:
| Item | Included with the site? |
|---|---|
| Fast, phone-friendly foundation | Yes, it should be |
| Page titles and tidy structure | Yes, it should be |
| A specific position on Google | No, nobody can guarantee it |
| Monthly content and follow-up | No, a separate service |
| Reviews and map listing work | No, separate work |
Questions to ask your designer
To turn the phrase into something concrete, ask these questions and ask for the answers in writing.
- When you say "SEO friendly", exactly which tasks do you carry out? Can I see the list?
- How fast will my site open on a phone? Can we test it together before handover?
- Will each page get its own title and description, or do I write them?
- Will my services each get a separate page?
- Who provides the page texts and articles? Is that in the price?
- If I have an old site and the addresses change, what happens to my old pages?
- After handover, do you make the site known to Google?
- Do you make any promise about rankings? (An honest answer is "No, but I build the foundation properly.")
Someone who answers clearly and writes out the task list is usually easier to work with. If the answers are vague, the quote is vague too.
Where is the difference between cheap and expensive quotes?
The gap between two quotes often lies in the work behind this phrase. In one, "SEO friendly" may be just a label; in the other, speed testing, title writing and page planning really happen. Look at the task list before the price. With no list, you end up arguing later about what was supposed to be done. A written, itemized quote protects both you and the designer.
How can you judge it yourself?
Even without technical knowledge you can try a few things. Open your site on your phone using mobile data and notice how long you wait. Look at the home page as a customer: is it immediately clear what you do and where? Search your business name on Google and read the title and description shown under your site. If you see problems in all three, the phrase "SEO friendly" may be hollow on your site.
Frequently asked questions
If I get an SEO friendly site, will I be on Google's first page?
I cannot guarantee it and neither can anyone else. A correct foundation gives you a better start, but rankings also depend on content, competitors and time.
Can a site be made SEO friendly later?
Often yes. Before redesigning, the current state should be examined; sometimes small fixes are enough, sometimes a rebuild makes more sense.
Is a ready-made template site SEO friendly?
It can be, but you need to check its speed and structure. Not every template is of the same quality. "Ready-made" is neither good nor bad in itself.
Is an SEO friendly site the same as an SEO service?
No. One lays the foundation; the other is regular work on top of it. Keeping them apart helps you plan your budget properly.
Wrapping up
"SEO friendly website" is a good starting point but not a promise or a guarantee. Ask for what is included in writing, and find out what is not. If you would like to go through a quote or your current site together, you can reach me through my SEO services page.