How To Start Getting more Visitors from Search EnginesWhat exactly is
search engine optimization(SEO)? It is the process of getting visitors to your website from search engines. On-page factors affecting search engine results relate to the design of your website and the content that you provide, and off-page factors pertain to the type and quantity of incoming links you receive. This article suggests ways you can start optimizing your website’s on and off-page factors for better search results.
SEO Rules of Thumb for Small Business Success
On-Page Factors * Think about your website from the perspective of your visitor.
o Avoid adding text just for search engines unless it makes your visitor’s experience better
o Avoid linking to websites that don’t add value for your visitors
o Do create content that will thrill your readers with relevant and engaging information
o Do keyword research to discover how your product or service is being described by prospective visitors
* The search engines want their users to
find relevant content.
o Make it easy for Google, Yahoo, MSN Live, and others to understand your page or post’s content by:
+ Using relevant and unambiguous titles
+ Including relevant keywords in your content
+ Breaking content apart with lists and appropriate headings
o Remember that all parts of your page are not equal in importance. Here are some of the most important parts of your page:
+ The page title is likely the most important place to include keywords
+ HTML headings (h1, h2, h3, h4)
+ Link text
+ Body text
+ Everything else is probably less important than the title, headings, link text and body text - this includes your meta tags (keywords, description, etc.). Focus on these elements after taking care of the basics.
* Create your website using standards compliant HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). If your HTML
validates, search engines will be more likely to consider it authoritative.
Off-Page FactorsEven if you set up your website’s content perfectly, you still may not rise above your competition in the search engine results pages. Why? One of the major ways search engines decide if your site is relevant to a specific search query is by looking at the number of links pointing at your site. Below are some handy pointers on how to get relevant incoming web links:
* Publish information that is timely and relevant enough to attract readers who share your articles with friends via social media tools like Delicious, Twitter, and Facebook.
* Take advantage of
RSS to notify interested readers when you post new content.
* Get listed on respected website directories like Yahoo! and the Open Directory as well as industry-specific business directories and local chamber of commerce websites.
* Create a listing on
Google Local,
Yahoo! Local, and
Live Search Maps.
* Become a “lurker” on key industry blogs and active forums and add value by providing relevant comments and answers to questions (create a profile with a link back to your website).
* Do not trade or buy links (unless, I suppose, you can make a strong case that this benefits your visitors).
o Remember that link building isn’t only about quantity. Search engines care about quality as well. If you receive incoming links from websites known to sell links, it may not have a positive impact on your website.
* Always be ready to try new things. There are thousands of ways to attract visitors by creating innovative content. Try your ideas and measure the results!
Remember to listen to more than one search engine optimization expert. Read what search engines, especially Google, have to say about
search engine optimization Google's
videos regarding how to use the Google Webmaster Tools.
In summary, create meaningful content based on your prospective customers’ interests. Build links by participating on industry blogs and forums and getting listed on respected business directories.
Source: Abound Marketing -
This entry was written by Harvey Ramer, posted on April 13, 2009 at 2:17 pm,
http://www.aboundmarketing.com/426/seo-basics/
