The one aspect of web design that most clients are interested in is SEO. Since Google recently updated their search engine algorithm I wanted to include one more post to highlight those SEO practices that are of most importance. So in short, this is my “SEO Big Cup” post which I hope will be of value to you. If you would like to learn more about the recent Google update check out https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/penguin-update-and-seo/
If you’ve read my previous posts then you know that SEO is all about having an increase in organic and social traffic that leads to conversions. In this regard “Social Media” is the “NEW” big player in social rankings since it provides “Authorship” and “Authority” which is now known to be the primary ranking criteria used currently by Google. If you’re wondering where to focus your social media efforts … the most importance ones by popularity and SEO advantage are: Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest
When it comes to social media and web marketing, it is important to have a strategy in place. Here is a quick list of some popular marketing options:
- Facebook contests for engagement, brand awareness, improved traffic, and increased fans
- Organic content distribution through all social networks with different schedules and content per its implied purpose
- Creative infographics
- Linking content across all social media pages, using Hashtags on FB, etc
- Individualized Social Media Content (avoid automated tweets and Facebook messages)
- Ask Facebook users what type of content they want, encourage engagement by images, humor, etc
- Tie content in with current events
SEO experts note that Google+ is one of the best ways to get time-sensitive content indexed quickly, and has shown itself to be a major ranking factor on the Google Search Engine when content is linked to one’s account. If you want to know more about social media I encourage you to search by blog’s “social media” category for the latest information, tips, and suggestions.
Popular Social Media Tools:
HootSuite – social media management dashboard that provides for content distribution and the ability to bulk upload
https://hootsuite.com/
Viralheat – social media monitoring and Analytics
https://www.viralheat.com/
Beyond Social Media, here is a quick list of some of the other important SEO considerations:
- Utilize the heading tags effectively, specifically ensuring that the H1 tag is keyword rich and content specific
- Ensure that the page titles are keyword targeted, kept short, and individualized
- Include ALT and Title tags for images/links (SEO benefit and ADA accessibility)
- Optimize images for keywords and consider their placement within page/article
- Ensure keyword targeted meta-descriptions for each page, with individualized content relating to that page
- Ensure that there is enough text content with a good keyword relationship above the fold (top third of page)
- Keep ADS/Banners to a minimum, and avoid placement at top of page
- Regularly optimize website for keywords that other businesses search to find you (Google Keywords Tool)
- Create Landing pages for promotions and specialized product targeting
- Write articles as an authority for others – Blogs, Forums, Trade Journals, Websites
- Utilize Whitepapers, Press Releases, Newsletters
- Submit a Sitemap and create a Custom Error page
- Ensure quality inbound links
- Keep image size down, and proof all pages for readability as well as spelling/grammar
- Practice internal linking of content using keywords effectively in hyperlinks
- Ensure cross-browser compatibility, and that the code is current with the latest standards; avoid Flash, Java, and older JavaScript
- Update content regularly, and seek visitor engagement through contests, polls, animation, etc.
In case you are new to SEO I wanted to share some SEO blog posts which include those important aspects that everyone who is managing their own SEO efforts should know about, as well as many SEO strategies that are often over looked.
Top Website Ranking – the Big 3
When it comes to SEO effectiveness a site needs more than just SEO optimized content. This post covers the three key aspects to getting a highly ranked site, which includes: The Design, Keyword text copy, and SEO optimization. Read the post at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/top-website-ranking-the-big-3/
SEO Strategies
This post is an overview of those aspects which will ensure that a website is getting a good ranking. This posts includes attractive design, accessible navigation, keyword optimization, visitor engagement, social media and inbound links, and a variety of SEO related links. You can view this post at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/seo-strategies-looking-forward-to-2013/
Whitehat SEO
If you’ve done some searching you may have noted the reference of “whitehat” and “blackhat” SEO techniques. Whitehat techniques are those proven SEO techniques that won’t get you penalized by the search engines. In this post I cover the importance of quality content, structural markup, titles and meta-data, keyword use, inbound links, internal linking, reciprocal linking, writing for others, and keeping content fresh. You can view this post at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/white-hat-seo/
Optimization Strategies
This page provides information on the importance of ample page content, SEO statistics, page titles and descriptions, inbound links, ALT tags for images, the 301 redirect, the importance of Mobile optimization, and Analytics. You can view the post at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/optimization-strategies-and-more/
The following articles provide SEO information for specific topics in greater detail, and/or on subjects that are often missed by inexperienced SEO optimizers.
Sitemaps
Once you get your website online it is a good idea to create and submit a sitemap for it. This will tell the search engines which pages are the most important, and helps to ensure that your pages are fully indexed. You can learn about sitemap creation at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/sitemaps-for-seo-benefit/ I’ve also created a quick video on how to work within Google’s Webmaster Tools at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/webmaster-tools/
Image Optimization
One thing that is often overlooked in SEO is the optimization of image names. I wrote a blog post about this not long back which I think is important. You can view it at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/image-search-optimization/
Website Tracking
The tracking of your pages is an important part of an overall SEO strategy. I recommend Google Analytics since it provides “free” comprehensive reports, and is integrated into the other Google tools. You can learn more about how to use Analytics at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/google-analytics-reports/
Google Tools
In addition to Analtyics, there are lots of great Google tools that will help you achieve a top SEO rating. Here is my list of the best tools available – https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/best-free-google-tools/
Keyword Optimization
Throughout my SEO related posts you will note that I talk about the importance of defining the keywords for your market, and having a good keyword density relationship. This blog posts provides some of the better keyword selection and comparison tools available that can help you ensure good keyword use – https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/the-best-free-keyword-selector-and-comparison%C2%A0tools/
Domain Names
Having a good domain name can definitely help your SEO presence. You can learn more about how to choose a good domain name at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/domain-names-top-10-things-to-watch-out-for/
Knowledge Based Optimization
This aspect of SEO goes hand-in-hand with being an “authority”. It is important to provide the resources that your visitors want to keep them engaged on your site and coming back. You can learn more about KBO at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/knowldege-based-optimization-kbo/
Custom Error Pages
A custom 404 page is an important inclusion on a website since it allows you to define what a visitor sees when a page error occurs. You can learn about custom error page creation at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/custom-404-pages/
Inbound Links
Having reputable sites link to yours is one of the major SEO strategies, yet many don’t utilize this well. You can learn what’s needed at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/quality-inbound-links/
When all is said and done, anyone who manages SEO campaigns needs to be able to provide verifiable results of success. The following post link provides an overview of our SEO strategy and information about the individual success of some of our clients we track. View the post at https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com/proven-seo-success-stories/
If you have additional questions on anything noted here, it is likely that I have a blog that refers to this. For example, I have posts on mobile and responsive design, setting up and managing Facebook and Google+ accounts, how to create a Facebook contest, Marketing strategies, Twitter, etc.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or need assistance.
https://www.ecurtisdesigns.com
