Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in 4 Easy Steps

Search engine optimization can be a very effective tool to get better organic search visibility and therefore drive more traffic to your web site. The challenge is that search engine algorithms are a black box. No one knows for sure which factors are accounted for and how heavily they are weighted, but through experience and trial and error, weandrsquo;ve uncovered four factors that can help boost your organic rankings.
1. Proper Keyword Selection: Itandrsquo;s very important to focus your SEO efforts on those keywords that matter. If you donandrsquo;t, you will waste time and energy optimizing on the wrong terms. Keywords that matter have a good amount of search traffic, are not too competitive and, most importantly, are a good fit for your business. To find the best keywords, utilize a tool such as Google Keyword Tool to collect data on traffic, competition and then use your own business-judgment to choose the keywords that are most relevant to you. Most of our clients will then narrow down their list to a small group of keywords that they want to focus all their efforts on.
2. Page Content: Search engines like content. They look for the actual text on each page as well as the HTML behind each page. To make your pages spider-friendly it is important to combine a contextual approach with a scientific approach when developing page content, to satisfy a readerandrsquo;s interest as well as search engine requirements. These four guidelines will help take you through the process:
a. Keyword Density- Balance keyword density with total word count to ensure your keywords will be visible to a search engine spider. This way the search engines will easily pick up on your keyword among all other page content.
b. Keyword Proximity- Donandrsquo;t stuff the same keyword into the very first sentence on your page. Balance readability with science and intersperse them carefully throughout your content.
c. Distribution- Donandrsquo;t limit keyword placement to your body content. Utilize them in headings (H1 through H6), internal text links, and various tags that will be explained in more detail, such as title tags, alt tags, meta tags, etc.
d. Page Topic- Ensure that your keyword is relevant to your page. Donandrsquo;t choose the keyword andlsquo;pay per clickandrsquo; and optimize a page focused on search engine optimization. If you donandrsquo;t have a page that best fits your keyword topic, create a new one.
Also, when planning SEO copywriting, create a guide so your copywriter and web developer are both aware of the page elements that need to be altered. Assign keyword density and total word count to each page element and provide examples where necessary.
3. On-Page Website Factors: Aside from body content, there are several additional factors that should be altered for search engine spider recognition- Title Tag, Meta Keywords Tag, Alt Area Tags, and Page URL Structure. Once your copywriting and page alterations are complete, generate a sitemap in either HTML or XML format and submit to Google Webmaster Tools. The sitemap provides a road map for search engine spiders to learn all about your websiteandrsquo;s content. Also, Google Webmaster Tools will inform you if your site contains broken links that are preventing search engines from reading and indexing all of your available pages.
4. Off-Page Website Factors: Achieving rankings is similar to a popularity contest. The more inbound links you have, the more popular your site will seem to a search engine. Therefore, link building is an important step in a comprehensive SEO strategy. A popular method of building links is submitting your site, articles, and blog to directories. Social media marketing is also a great way to build inbound links to your site. Social networks, user-generated content, video and image-sharing sites, and bookmarking tools will increase links and traffic to your site.
Once you have followed these four steps, maintain month-to-month reporting to track the performance of your organic rankings for each SEO keyword and identify areas that may need improvement. Rankings donandrsquo;t happen overnight. But if you apply these 4 best practice tips, you will help your website move into more competitive placements and in return, increase organic traffic.

About Author:

Alaina Muniz is author of this article on Lead generation. Find more information about PPC Marketing here.

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