We’ve just had a visit here at the office from one of our existing customers who wanted to talk about getting more from one of their websites, a CMS (Content Managed System – a website that allows the website owner to log in and edit the website content via a control panel online) which was sold to them by another company some time ago.

We opened up the CMS control panel over a cup of tea (in a cracked cup) to look at just how manageable the website really was, and whether or not is is possible to use the CMS editing software to make the website search engine ready, before entering into an SEO campaign. It would have been very easy to say “Yes Mr Customer, we can go ahead and carry out ongoing SEO services for you” – but the reality is that the website as it stands is missing vital elements that are likely to put it in good stead on Google.

For example, using the CMS control panel it is not possible to alt tag any images, set the meta titles, meta descriptions or key phrases – nor was it possible to edit HTML or embed video or similar. Without the FTP details to access the server and edit the HTML source manually – we were looking at a bit of a non-starter.

When you are choosing your first website package, make sure that you have the facility to sort out the basic’s. Or that your website partner is search engine savvy enough to make sure that your website is primed and ready to make an impact on Google.

In today’s case – our customer was left £600 out of pocket and with a website that is a damp squib at best!