- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a relatively simple process, though few people really do it right. It is important to note that there are a variety of factors that will affect a website's ranking over time, and while the criteria of ranking are not consistent across all engines/directories, there are some basic strategies that are accepted as significant, and which we know will help your site achieve a prominent SEO ranking.
The primary SEO considerations are:
- Metatags: The proper use of metatags, specifically the keywords, description, index, and title tags are very important. If you're not familiar with these then it is important to do a bit of research. View the big list of all common metatags
- Relevancy of content: Defined by a website's content matching the keywords submitted in a query. Rewrite page text to reflect more commonly searched terms, and ensure that the text on your pages match the keywords in your page metatags.
- Full Indexing: Accessible navigation and/or site-maps are needed for a website to be fully indexed. One option is to create a specialized text file called robots.txt and have it placed in the root directory of the site. The use of heading tags for content titles is also important to indicate topic significance.
- Accessibility: Accessibility refers to having CSS and ADA compliant layouts (tableless designs), with Alt and Title tags for mouse-over descriptions. These are necessary for adaptive technology devices to properly navigate and read the text on a page.
- Time on the Web: Over time a website is deemed as more credible,and given more weight.
- Unique visitors and frequency: Traffic increases your site's ranking, the more visitors the better. It is important to have links back to your website (Backlinks). Blogs, professional articles, banner advertisements, and respectful "opt-out" e-mail marketing can be effective for this.
- Duration of visits: It is important that your design and content keeps a visitor browsing, where possible provide free resources, and be sure your design is engaging.
- Uniqueness of content: When your content is fresh it is perceived as having ongoing value. It is a good idea to change up content periodically, and it is important to edit elements of the HTML code on every page of the site; this is especially important for the page titles and metatags..
- Convert graphics to HTML: Where possible convert your graphics with text to HTML text, and remove or reduce the use of Flash (flash cannot be indexed by the engines). This is important both for ADA and SEO.
- BlackHat techniques: Blackhat techniques are practices that are viewed as a deceptive means to get a high ranking, vs. organic (approved) methods. Blackhat practices can get a website banned for life.
Marketing Strategies
In addition to site submission, it can be helpful to have your website listed with the top ranked Internet Yellow Pages, Business Reviews, and popular Social Networking venues. Learn more about effective marketing strategies.
Keyword Selection Is Key
Careful keyword selection is the heart of the SEO plan. Site owners who are on top of their SEO game have a list of top-priority keywords that they use on their site, with reasonable repetition, in strategic places. If a site's focus or positioning changes, new keywords are needed. Another important thing to note is that a site page should not have more than 20 keywords in the metatag, and the most important ones should be listed first. Lastly, the keywords in your metatags should be in evidence on your page if at all possible (ideally 2 to 3 times). More inclusions than this...such as: free, free, free, free, free....can get you blacklisted!
Taking Advantage of Social Media
Social Media encourages people to interact with each other, and respond to each other's postings and comments. You should be aware of four types of social media: (1) blogs, (2) social networking sites, (3) social bookmarking sites, and (4) forums. Social media will help to promote your site by sending direct traffic, producing links to your site, and generating awareness.
Some of the best online communities for business include Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. In addition, you may want to participate in a social bookmarking community in which members share with each other information about websites, articles, or news items that they like (or don't like). These include Digg, Delicious, StumbleUpon , and Google Bookmarks.
Some of the best online communities for business include Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. In addition, you may want to participate in a social bookmarking community in which members share with each other information about websites, articles, or news items that they like (or don't like). These include Digg, Delicious, StumbleUpon , and Google Bookmarks.
- To achieve a high ranking we encourage you to submit to the Search Engines / Directories listed at right, though only if your content has changed significantly or you are otherwise not listed; they are presented according to popularity.
