In verbal communication there is an 8 second rule that applies to first impressions. One must make a good impression upon first introduction within 8 seconds in order to be remembered with a positive feeling felt by the new acquaintance. This rule is often true with presentations, websites, resumes, and ads. A website is really all of the above, or at least can be all of the above and the rule still applies. Within 8 seconds of a viewer laying eyes on the page, their attention has to be directed to the sale, information, or image that the site is built for.

The difference between Search Engine Optimizers or Optimization and standard web designers these days is growing greater by the widget. A web designer is going to conceptualize a project and make it visually appealing to look at, and navigate through, with out much, if any concern with content and how it is read by Search Engines.