Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  Strategies
Using good Search Engine Optimization SEO strategies is how you will reach top search engine
rankings.
70% of web users click on the natural results as opposed to the paid results. So top ranking will not only
increase your site traffic, it will increase the number of new sales you receive without paying for
advertising.
Search Engine Optimization Strategies For Improving Your Search
Engine Ranking
1. Keyword Research
Effective search engine optimization starts with good keyword analysis which is about finding the most searched on keyword phrases that have
the least competition and then using those keyword phrases effectively in your site's content, navigation and
links.
Start with a good keyword research tool. I personally use Wordtracker because for me it's the most reliable but free
tools can work too, for example, the Google keyword research tool will give you a good start.
Don't be lured by the keywords with the highest searches. Go for the more descriptive
keywords, known as 'long tail' keywords. The long tail keywords generally have fewer searches but they also
have less competition, these are easier words to rank for.
Keyword research and the long tail will demonstrate how to
find and choose the best, yet least competitive, keyword phrases for each of your web pages.
Place a few of your keywords in bold and italics, but don't stuff your page with keywords compromising your
readability for that extra bit of keyword recognition.
Here's more on using keywords effectively.
Keyword competition analysis
How to Improve your Google Keyword Ranking
2. Optimize Your Site Pages
Using Accurate Title & Description Tags
The search engines rank web pages, not web
sites, so optimize each page of your site with good web page optimization strategies which start with your
site's title and description tags.
- Each page's title tag must
contain your chosen keyword phrase for that page and it should describe exactly what people can find
on the page.
Use these title tag examples for creating title tags that get
more clicks.
- Your description tag must also contain
your keyword phrase, only this time add some more descriptive information that gives your reader a
good idea of what they can find on the page.
- Keep your description as well as your
content relevant. For example if your page is about the importance of using good keywords, don't
describe the page as how to use keywords.
-Use your keyword phrase when naming your site pages. For instance if your
keyword phrase is 'blue suede shoes' the URL of your page should look like any one of these
examples:
- http://www.yourdomainname.com/bluesuedeshoes.com
- http://www.yourdomainname.com/blue-suede-shoes.com
- http://www.yourdomainname.com/blue_suede_shoes.com
Any quality website builder will offer point and click options to
easily create your title, description and keyword tags, however here's a sample of what those tags look
like.
For example, this page's main keyword phrase is
'Cat Grooming Supplies'
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Cat Grooming Supplies</TITLE>
<META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="Online Cat Grooming Supplies and Accessories that you won't
find in most pet stores">
<META NAME="description" CONTENT="Online pet supplies: The pet store that
has a complete line of pet supplies at super competitive prices & Fast Delivery.">
</HEAD>
3. Your Website Navigation
Use your keywords in
your navigation and place your best web pages, the ones you want readers to
see the most, in a horizontal navigation bar across the top.
Use your footer for
things like resources, site map, disclaimers and copyrights.
4. Create Awesome
Content
What is awesome
content? What might be considered great content to you may be different for me.
Here's
what Google suggests:
"Create a useful, information-rich site, and write
pages that clearly and accurately describe your content."
Add value to your reader's experience by including content that your readers will find useful,
interesting and unique.
From my own experience I've found that if you use your keywords wisely,
write like you speak, provide content that is useful, and focus on your reader and not the search engines,
you're rankings can't help but improve.
5. Site Wide
Linking
No page of your website should be more than 3 clicks away from your home page. Google may not index
that far into your website.
Keep the links on the pages of your site to a reasonable number and each page of your site should be
reachable from at least one text link for another page.
Keep broken links in check as broken links are not favored by the search engines.
You should adopt a methodology in obtaining useful, quality incoming links as well. Use
these linking strategies to
optimize your site's links for both on and off page linking.
6. Keep Your Web Site Focused
Don't be all things to all people. Keep
your site as narrowly niche focused as you can.
For instance, a website about 'how to train your
dog' is going to get more targeted visitors and potential sales
than a site about Pets in general.
7. Watch Your Spelling
This is just a personal observation but pages on my site that have had spelling errors are at
a slight disadvantage.
I don't think spelling is a big deal as far as the search engines are concerned but I do think it's
narrowly figured into Google's search engine algorithm, meaning that with all things being equal spelling
errors could drop your page a space or two in the rankings.
That may or may not be true, it's just a hunch of mine based on my own experiences with regard
to search engine ranking :-)
8. Create a site map
Site maps act like a table of contents and they help search engines find, crawl and index all
the pages on your website ensuring that no page is left behind.
Final
thoughts...
If search engine optimization isn't something you want to tackle yourself or you
simply don't have the time to spend optimizing your site, use a professionally
recognized tool like Internet Business
Promoter to ensure current and up-to-date quality search engine optimization strategies are being
used.
You can also hire a consultant to do the job, however they can be extremely expensive and
many of them take advantage of charging high fees and do very little, so hire consultants with a careful
eye.
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