I believe website information architecture and page layout is an important part of an SEO strategies. As I'm a Software Engineer with a strong background in user-centered design (UCD), my opinion shouldn't astoundment anyone.

Web site's information architecture is the bottom line of successful information retrieval. And not just for popular Web search engines either. Search engines are only one part of information retrieval. A scent of information and sense of place are also key areas of information retrieval. As I've reviewed more Web analytics data, my assessment has only grown stronger to favour SEO website architecture.

If a house has a strong footing, it will be there for a long time. Without one, the house will belly up rather quickly. It's the same for a Web site. SEO should be about building that strong foundation, not chasing algorithms and capitalize on search engines. Start with a strong foundation. Furnishings can always be added, refined, and removed.

Every time I examine a site for search usability, I find the most superior, time-consuming SEO solution involves modifying the Web site's information architecture. Any novice SEO can put keyword phrases in HTML meta tags and title tags. But making cross-linking and site navigation with a labeling system that users understand? Get hold of page types and assigning the most appropriate cross-links? Knowing when to use text-based documents -- and when not to? Optimizing for search engines as well as site visitors? These aren't easy,quick tasks to achieve.

Additionally, a target audience's search behavior often varies by site type (publisher, education,B2B, B2C, etc.), age, gender, education level, and so forth.

Nonetheless, with a strong information architecture in place the site sees vast improvements in all around search engine traffic and cost savings. It's easy to customize Web copy when the foundation is solid.