Enhancing Collaboration between SEO Experts and UX Designers for Optimal Results — Whiteboard Friday

**Working Better Together: SEOs and UX Designers**

*Understanding the Similarities and Differences*
SEO and UX: Similar Goals, Different Perspectives

**Understanding UX and Design Principles**
Gaining Insight into UX and Design
Exploring Visual Hierarchy and Context
Improving Communication and Compromises

**Engaging in Conversation and Collaboration**
Communicating with UX Designers
Gathering Wish Lists and Concerns
Participating in Meetings and Decision-Making

**Training UX Teams in SEO**
Equipping UX Designers with SEO Knowledge
Exploring Navigation Elements and Risks
Considering Link Mapping and Hierarchy
Discussing Core Web Vitals and Common Interests
Addressing Copy and User-Friendly Implementation

**Evaluating Risks and Managing Change**
Understanding the Impact of Changes
Navigating Website Redesigns with SEO in Mind
Making Informed Decisions Together

—

Search engine optimization (SEO) professionals and user experience (UX) designers often share similar objectives, despite their differing roles within a company. While SEOs focus on improving website visibility and driving organic traffic, UX designers prioritize creating engaging and intuitive user experiences. However, their distinctive perspectives can sometimes clash when it comes to implementing site changes. In this edition of Whiteboard Friday, Helen Pollitt, head of SEO at Car & Classic, explores how SEOs and UX designers can work better together for the benefit of the website and its users.

**Understanding UX and Design Principles**

To bridge the gap between SEOs and UX designers, it is essential to develop an understanding of UX and design principles. Familiarizing oneself with concepts such as visual hierarchy and context can provide valuable insights into the goals and motivations of UX designers. By upskilling in these areas, SEOs can effectively communicate the potential benefits of SEO strategies while being open to compromises based on UX considerations.

**Engaging in Conversation and Collaboration**

Actively engaging with UX designers and involving oneself in their conversations can enhance the working relationship between SEOs and UX designers. Whether through informal discussions or formal meetings, interacting with UX designers allows SEOs to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and priorities. For in-house teams, approach UX designers directly to learn about their wish lists and ideas for the website. In the case of freelancers or agency workers, requesting permission to spend a day with the client’s UX design team can foster stronger relationships and improve collaboration.

**Training UX Teams in SEO**

To promote effective collaboration, it is essential to train UX teams in SEO principles. This ensures that UX designers have a solid understanding of how SEO considerations impact their design decisions. Areas to focus on include the importance of navigation elements for SEO, the risks associated with removing certain elements, the concept of link mapping, and the website’s hierarchy. By educating UX designers on these critical SEO concepts, both parties can work together to find compromises and develop solutions that align with both SEO and UX goals.

Furthermore, discussing core web vitals and their implications for SEO and user experience can unveil shared interests between both SEOs and UX designers. Explaining how certain design choices, such as loading banners after the rest of the page, can negatively impact cumulative layout shift can foster collaborative problem-solving. Similarly, addressing the usability issues of scrolling banners highlights the desire for user-friendly experiences, which aligns with both SEO and UX priorities.

**Evaluating Risks and Managing Change**

As SEO professionals, it is crucial to evaluate the risks associated with proposed changes and effectively manage any potential issues that may arise. This requires a thorough understanding of how alterations to a website, such as a navigation redesign, can impact SEO performance. By actively participating in discussions and decision-making processes, SEOs can offer their insights and expertise early on, ensuring that any potential SEO-related challenges are addressed before significant changes are implemented.

In conclusion, the collaboration between SEOs and UX designers is vital for creating successful websites that meet user needs while driving organic traffic. Understanding each other’s priorities, engaging in open conversations, and nurturing a shared knowledge base can facilitate more effective collaboration and ultimately deliver better experiences for users. By embracing the similarities between SEO and UX design and finding common ground, SEOs and UX designers can work together harmoniously to achieve their shared goals.