Should web designers know about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

This is an issue that gets my frequent attention. And it has been discussed on a thread at Jill Whalen's SEO Forum. 89% of people in a poll at the forum said they expect web designers to at least have a basic understanding of SEO... as it is such an important part of web design these days.

My work through Solutions Found is aimed at educating business owners and marketers about how to manage these online elements of the marketing mix. For most businesses, the website should be generating leads. It's not just about looking pretty.

In my opinion I think web designers should know about SEO, as well as about blogging, forums, shopping carts, online payments systems and the like. Because the website does not exist in isolation. Web designers should be in a position to advise clients - even if they can't do all the technical work themselves.

It can be a lot to ask of a web designer to keep up to date with these areas. But that's the difference between being a professional in your field, and just doing enough to 'get by'. All leaders in their field go to great efforts to stay in tune with developments related to their industry.

If you'd like a bit more information, in a previous article titled Website Optimisation Tactics Explained I cover some of the SEO basics that are extremely important.