Search engine optimization and frames

Frames have always been a problem for Search engines and some users to understand. Some studies show that users have a problem performing simple standard tasks that they would otherwise be able to solve with a similar web site not using frames.
When a web site uses frames, users can rarely bookmark specific pages deep inside the web site. If they use the browsers bookmark function and click it later to return they will end up on the front page - even if they did the book-marking from another web page deeper in the web site.
If users can't bookmark pages within your site, neither can the search engines. If users can only bookmark your front page - as is the case with most web sites using frames - that is also the only page most search engines will Link to.
Some search engines might try to browse and Index individual pages on your web site outside the normal frame set. However, that will leave you with a whole new set of problems. If the search engines send visitors directly to content pages that are supposed to be viewed inside a frame set it is usually difficult, if not impossible, for users to navigate further into your web site.
To solve this, you can implement various sorts of scripts to re-fetch the content page in the right frame set if it is requested outside the frame set. You should refer to your programmers and JavaScript references for further instructions of how to do this.

Tip:
One way is to implement some sort of basic navigation inside each frame. In this way people that came on your sub frame page can navigate to your framed home page or go to another section with this basic navigation. Breadcrumbs are also a very good solution for this.
Tip:
Some search engines read the content in the NOFRAMES section of a frame set. The NOFRAMES section is a special part of the HTML code that is presented to users with browsers that cannot read frames (e.g. search engines, very old browsers, and homemade viewers).

The code looks like this:
< noframes>Place content here</noframes>
Browsers and search engines that don't support frames can read the content you place between the two NOFRAMES-tags.
To use the space the best way you should …
• Fill the section with the same text that you have on the page visitors see. Just use the raw text without images and never use text not visible to the users.
• Remember to also add links in the NOFRAMES section for the search engines to follow. Use the same navigational links as you do on the page you show your visitors, but remember to keep them as normal text-links.
Using the two tips above does not in any way guarantee that your web pages will be indexed and rank well. Many search engines will not read the content in the NOFRAMES-section.
There are more advanced options available if you want a frames-based web site indexed and ranked well. The easiest solution, however, is still to get rid of the frames.
If you want to use more advanced methods to make your frames-based web site more Search Engine Friendly, consult with an experienced Search engine optimization expert or firm.
Two more ways of solving the problems of using frames are:
• Information pages
• Inclusion programs
Information pages are static HTML pages (no frames) with information about key products or services provided on your web site - one information page for each key topic. An information page is optimized with simple HTML, but otherwise looks and feels like the rest of the web site. Creating such pages can in some cases produce Search Engine friendly entry points to your web site.
If you can make additional entry points, you can use Pay For Inclusion programs to have the pages indexed in major search engines. You can use the inclusion programs even if the web site is framed - as long as you can provide a unique URL for each target or Entry Page.
Tip:
Some search engines might compare the content you have in the NOFRAMES-section with what is presented to normal users. If the search engines do not find the same text in the NOFRAMES-section as they do on the user pages you might get penalized for Spam.