Do you feel lost when it comes to the topic of SEO? Are you looking for a SEO 101 guide? Then you have come to the right spot. This blog was created for people just like you who are interested on this subject but tend to need to know the very basics of SEO.
Let’s start with some simple FAQ’s:
What does SEO mean? – SEO stands for search engine optimization. This term means a web page that’s been modified so that search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, or a host of other ones, will pick what they think is the best website to match a users’ search words.
What is the purpose of SEO? – To market your website on the first page of search engine results, but also:
1. The user will click on your website.
2. The user likes your website and returns!
3. The user supports your site (this could be multiple ways, but ultimately it’s financially supportive)
4. The user shares his/her enthusiasm about your service or product to others. Many times this happens on social networking websites like Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter.
Why does SEO cost so much? – That’s a very good question. As anything, you must compare and contrast what is being offered and make sure to get good optimization. Cost can vary, but SEO can cost a lot because: SEO gurus need to research the terms people are using in your field and research which keywords have the least amount of competition online. For better SEO results, ongoing maintenance is needed since search engines are always looking for new web pages and people tend to change what they are searching for.
How do I start SEO? – My question back to you would be, do you already own a website or are you just in the thinking stages of creating a site? This has a great deal of importance of what to do next. Email me with the detail.
Can I do SEO myself? – If you are beginning to comprehend search engine optimization, you also need to know that Google has over 200 variables that determines what results they choose. This means that are a lot of small (and big) issues which need to be looked at if you really want to do well in search engines. Why waste time trying when after six months you give up and choose a professional who knows the ins and outs. I’m not trying to be mean, but it’s like comparing your need for surgery. I’d never suggest you have your spouse or neighbor try repairing your broken arm or worse yet, giving you gall bladder surgery. Get my point?
So what do I do next? – After reading this post, if you want to read more of my posts, click on Basic SEO category written for the beginner. If you read these and are still thirsty for more, click on our SEO RSS and get notified when I add new posts! Also, learning the terms will help as you read. Click on the SEO glossary and get familiar with the terms that we have put together.
Any by all means, if you have a question or comment, email us or create a comment and we’ll help guide you with any SEO 101 information! No question is ever a dumb question. Just smart people learning to be smarter. 🙂
There are 5 main things that control where your site ranks in Google for a given search phrase (keyword). Read more below about the main search engine optimization concepts that control where a site ranks in search engines.
- On page optimization (Organic)
- Backlinks
- Directories
- Social Media
- Competition
If these parts of the puzzle work well all together you have a better chance of your website ranking well in a Search Engine. Here is a SEO webinar I did with Molly from Make it as a Dog Trainer
On page optimization has to do with the changes and work you do to each page of the website.
Here are some important parts of the on page optimization process (in order of importance):
- Having the Keyword phrase in the meta title and meta description tag
- Having the Keyword phrase using the <h> tags on the page
- Having the Keyword phrase throughout the page
- Having as little html code as possible – use external css control
Another part of on page optimization is what should be on the homepage. Many people are told by their web designer to put their personal or “about us” information on the home page. The issue isn’t so much that your info shouldn’t be on the home page it is WHERE on the homepage. Above the fold should be what you can do for your client, not anything about you. No one cares about you, your credentials or resume. They only care about what you can do for them. So above the fold should no be about you. I wouldn’t have your info on your about page. Once a visitor is hooked, (thinks you can help them) they can click on the about page to learn about you. I hope that explains it. PM me for more info.
Is writing web content different then writing a book or magazine? YES, there is a huge difference! Lately, this has been one of my greatest challenges in web marketing.
When you get a book, you tuck yourself in the corner to read for an hour or so. Not so on the web! People use search engines, then have a list of possible sites to glance at. People will decide within three to five seconds if it is worth their time. In other words, people scan the web vs. reading every word and comprehending puns and clever sayings typically done in a book.
So what do you need in writing effective content for the web?
- Short titles – (avoid puns and clever wording; use 3-8 words)
- Use good keywords in title and content
- Make it easy to read – (avoid larger vocabulary and make it easy to read with numbering, bullets, italics and quotes to grab attention in the content.)
- Write for the reader not from your perspective – (Instead of saying, “Our Nike athletic shoes are high quality and inexpensive”, write for the user. “You will love these Nike athletic cross trainer shoes because they are inexpensive and very high quality.”)
Content is King! From an SEO perspective, more content is better then quality. This is very different then writing a book with many edits and reviews. Competition with web sites are increasing by the second. Now is the time to get a better handle on what web content is needed to grab someones attention and see your site in search engine results.
Michael (see previous comment posted) asked me if I would comment on Michael Jackson passing away this week. Sadly, we lost two well known celebrities this week. What a wake up call to this world!
In the SEO world, anything that happens in society will bring on the searches in all search engines. For instance, when you read somewhere that something happened to Michael, didn’t you search out the latest news or get on MSN to find out what happened?
You can use this events (positive or negative things that happen in society) as keywords on your site. How? Find an association between the event and what you offer on your site.
For instance, if you own a site and sell athletic shoes, you can mention Michael Jackson, then connect the two subjects by mentioning that exercise helps reduce stress and helps to keep you healthy.
Michael Jackson keyword example:
Michael Jackson died this week. Remember the video Thriller? What a shock!! My condolences to his family and fans. In circumstances when I’ve been depressed or stressed from something, I enjoy exercising and running. My New Balance 622 running shoes help me get through the day and sleep well. The next time you have a rough day at work or get bad news, try running or walking! Make sure to drink plenty of water while exercising.
What do you think about that? I know this isn’t the greatest way for a conversion, but it will help you get noticed and perhaps bookmarked if they like your site. I remember in the past few years other news breaking stories. Jump up when you get an opportunity for keywords that are circumstantially popular.
Google has over 200 variables that determine the position of your web site and it’s results. What I want to stress here are the two key factors needed.
1. Good keywords – Adding good keywords to your web site. People are searching for information, Add keyword phrases that people are searching for. Here is an example. Someone who is searching for gym shoes will look specifically for Nike or Reebok or the brand and possibly the type such as tennis or basketball shoes. It is important to use keywords phrases instead of basic one word terms. These keywords are a must in the URL, title tags, and title. (in any of the writing content)
But does this make your site magically appear on the first page of Google? No, it sure doesn’t! Google wants to make sure that what you are searching for is relevant but also popular. So, the question is: How do you make your site popular?
2. Backlinks to your website – Google primarily determines your popularity by the links going to your site and the web page importance )page rank) of those websites. There are many places and strategic operations to get backlinks.
- Write in article and link to your website
- Write a press release and link to your website
- Add a link in a blog
- Use social media (Facebook or MySpace or Twitter) and add a link.
There are many other aspects that Google looks at, but these two are the essentials. Another thing I notice is that writing for the web is VERY different then writing for a book or print. I’ll write on that in another blog post!
As you know, Google looks at 200 aspects of optimization when rankings sites in their results. Some of the more important are PageRank, inbound links and title tags. Addressing these issues first will help out a lot in improving your google search results.
1) Title tags – Should be focused and unique to each page of the site.
2) Broken links – Google webmaster tools shows broken links from other sites that link to you. If you changed a file name or now you use index.php and they linked to index.htm this error needs to be corrected. It is possible to use an .htaccess file to correct some of this.
3) Link text – All internal and external links should use keywords. Don’t use “click here”
4) Build relationships with other webmasters who will give us good links.