How Important Are Keywords In Buttons Options

[ronfrank]

I tried to ask this question in a previous post but probably made it more complicated than necessary. After reading about keywords in domain names, I wondered if the same thing applies to buttons. I understand the use of keywords in page content but it makes little sense to me trying to develop my site outline around them - some keywords work and others don't. How important are they in the primary navigation buttons as long as they are in the page content? And, if they are important, how important is it that they have the optimum demand / supply ratio?
Ron

[chrishirst]

If by "text in buttons" you mean the Anchor text of links, it is of importance

1/ because anchor text is content as well.

2/ because it reinforces what the target page is about.


if you really mean buttons that are made from images, then not at all.

[piskie]

Buttons implies (possibly) Javascript Rollovers which are totally different to Link Text. Links that are incorporated into a Javascrip functiont, may not even be followed let alone the incorporated text helping performance.

If your buttons are not Javascript, please ignore the above.

[Randy]

I'm not at all clear on your question Ron.

By the phrase "keywords in buttons" I can immediately think of three different things.

1. The keyword being part of the image filename. eg /images/some-keyword.jpg
2. The keyword being part of the image itself. eg a button that graphically and visibly says "Some Keyword"
3. The keyword being the alt-text of the linked image. eg <img src="/images/filename.jpg alt="Some Keyword">

Of those, #3 will have the most positive effect for you since the alt-text will be treated as anchor text for all intents.

#1 may have some limited positive value. Probably not much with the real SERPs, but it could have an effect with image searches and possibly help to reinforce other text on the page.

#2 would have no real effect since the text is part of the graphic.

Does that help?

[ronfrank]

Thanks everybody for the input. I think I get it - I was confused, not knowing anything technical about this (heck, I still haven't figured out what java is - only that it isn't coffee) . Basically, I understand that my navigation button can say anything I want it to convey a relavant organization of my site. Then, my keywords are in the content of the page that comes up. It's amazing how long it has taken to figure this out but I think it is a big hurdle in considering the outline of my site. Thanks again
Ron

[Mr Skyline]

I would always advise at least your main navigation is textual based (all navigation for my liking) with the use of CSS to make it look pretty, spiders can't read images (though alt text helps) they can read text, seeing as link reputation internal and external is built up by the use of what the link says I should say text links are better than image links.

[Jill]

I disagree, MrSkyline. It has been my experience that graphical links that use a descriptive alt attribute are just as good as a text link. The search engines have no problem with that set up.

[Mr Skyline]

I disagree, MrSkyline. It has been my experience that graphical links that use a descriptive alt attribute are just as good as a text link. The search engines have no problem with that set up.

Though that's open to abuse, I can name (with alt text) an image something completely irrelevant if I want, it wouldn't make sense for search engines to openly rely on my honesty to provide alt text that is not skewed to something I want to rank for I really don't see search engines being naive enough to believe we're all honest ... whereas I have no way of hiding what an actual text link says, I can't prove it either way though, it's just my personal preference based on gut instinct and second guessing.

[Jill]

I can name (with alt text) an image something completely irrelevant if I want

Sure, you could. But how would that help anything?

[Mr Skyline]

It wouldn't help get you relevant traffic but look back to the 90's people used to fill the meta keywords with large amounts of irrelevant keywords to just get the traffic which is why it holds no weight at all anymore, why wouldn't someone try the same thing with ALT text?!?!

[Jill]

I would like to think that most people doing any sort of internet marketing in the 21st century have figured out that traffic for traffic's sake isn't very useful, but maybe not.