Quickie Question

TheDonk · #1 () 06-11-2008, 04:00 AM

I'm developing a new site on what is for me a new theme. In the code, the developer wrote !Important! on just about every little piece of code and just looking at it pisses me off. The worst part is, a whole lot of it really isn't that 'important' anyway. My question is, does this hurt SEO at all, making it more difficult or slower for bots? Is it worth the time to remove all this crap?

Or would removing it only improve my attitude?

Also, there's other code in the Stylesheet.css that's for widgets I'm not going to use. Does it help to remove this stuff? And since I'm asking, what about all the info on the developers at the top of the stylesheet? I feel like I paid a good fee to buy the theme and if I want to remove that stuff it's my right to. Any different opinions? This wasn't a free theme, I paid $100 for it.

Thanks,

Jess

Nikke · #2 () 06-11-2008, 04:26 AM

Can't hurt to remove any excess code that doesn't do anything. You should check with the service provider if you can remove the "copyright". It isn't enough for you to think you paid a "good price".

It is smart to settle on things like that before you buy. For example how many sites can you use it on, can you sell it, can you do anything you like with it and so on.

TheDonk · #3 () 06-11-2008, 05:50 AM

When I bought this theme I didn't buy it blindly, I know what I bought.

I think I need to be more clear. My questions are:

1/ I know it doesn't hurt to remove this extra code, but what I want to know is - does it help to remove it?

2/ When I bought the theme it said I didn't have to leave the developers credits on the site. The info on the developers site doesn't get into details about the credits in the coding itself. I've removed the credits from the footer, but is there a general rule that if you are allowed to remove the credits off the site that you can also do that in the coding? If so, does it help to remove this info, or is it a waste of time?

Thanks

LadyHoldem · #4 () 06-11-2008, 05:56 AM

I've heard it said that the lighter the code the better. (PPP and Randy on this forum, lotsa folks on SEO forums..)

As for the copyright, removing it is removing it. It isn't hurting much being in the code, unless it links, buuuuut. Didya know there's a meta for that?

Nikke · #5 () 06-11-2008, 06:14 AM

Well yeah it is a common fact ( or belief) that the content to code ratio should be as big as possible.

Here is something about content to code ratio and a tool to play with:

http://www.holovaty.com/blog/archive/2002/11/07/2226/

Arnoldpalmer · #6 () 06-11-2008, 06:53 AM

The !Important! things within the code may well be to fix IE bugs with how it interprets and displays the CSS.

This should in most cases be within the CSS though and if it's littered with !Important! then a seperate stylesheet for IE should have been developed.

I'd be cautious of deleting them unless you test thoroughly in all browsers.

LadyHoldem · #7 () 06-11-2008, 07:02 AM

Hey I posted a browser compatibility tool that may.. or may not work today :O It's in the design area.

kaus · #8 () 06-11-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

The !Important! things within the code may well be to fix IE bugs with how it interprets and displays the CSS.

Hey Jess ...Arnold is absolutely right. I wouldnt play with those unless you test it elsewhere first, especially the onpage stuff since it is in php and can really mess with stuff. Are you looking at this stuff from the backend or your source code on the page. As for your CSS I dont think its a big deal what's in there because its not on the page. If this is the same site as we were talking about the other day it looks as though you have done some editing yourself. When you go back in try and bring your tags up closer to each other instead of leaving the big gaps.

TheDonk · #9 () 06-11-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaus

If this is the same site as we were talking about the other day it looks as though you have done some editing yourself. When you go back in try and bring your tags up closer to each other instead of leaving the big gaps.

It is the site we were talking about, could you please explain this to me (bringing tags up closer to each other)? You know me well enough to know that I don't know coding from a hole in the wall

.

Last night...uh, early this morning, I removed the !Important things from the Stylesheet CSS before Arnold (thanks btw) replied about them (I'm an unpatient s.o.b.). So far it appears as though the site is fine with them gone. I've checked it in IE and FF with no changes that I can see.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the help.

Jess