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Search Engine OptimizationBelow are some basics of search engine optimization that will help you increase your page rank in Google and other search engines.When you hire Seltice Systems to optimize your website, we make changes based on the "best practices" outlined below. Please note that search engines and their algorithms are changing all the time. Often times, making changes to your site as outlined below is not enough, and it takes a professional to address the details in order to increase page rank. Inbound LinksThe MOST IMPORTANT part of getting page rank for your website in search engines is having inbound links from other websites TO your website. And those other websites that link to you should also have top 2/3 page rank for the keywords in which you are trying to rank in if they are going to have any value. For example: If you are trying to rank higher for the keywords "travel to north idaho" but you get a link from a random website specializing in "pet care products", the link is not as valuable as a link from a local website about "north idaho rental car services". URL's and LinkingThe URL's on your website should be "search engine friendly". This means that a page about North Idaho golf courses should be named "north_idaho_golf_course_information.html" or something to that effect. Though Google does index them, having pages that read "page.php?id=4" would just not be as valuable. Keep in mind that many sites rank well even though their URL's are poorly formed, but that is probably because they have better inbound links. Within the content of your pages, link to other pages within your site using these search engine friently URL's. Also, when linking, include the keywords as the actual link and NOT the words "click here" (though we are guilty of this at one time or another). So, for example, make a link such as <a href='/travel_information.html'>travel information</a> and NOT <a href='/travel_information.html'>click here</a> for travel information. Meta DataMeta Data is the data that exists on your website but isn't visible on the page (mostly). The main Meta Tags include Title, Keywords and Description tags. Other tags exist as well which tell search engines other valuable information, but these are what we consider the "top 3". The Description tag shouldn't be too long, but it should contain some keywords. This is usually the "brief" description you see with your URL in search engines. The Keywords tag should contain about 20-40 keywords or key phrases you are looking to target. Search Engines will often times use Keywords to "index" you in their catalog. Think of it as telling them which category to put you in, but it doesn't necessarily determine WHERE in the catalog you will be placed. Your Title tag is very important, it should contain keywords, and usually your URL and should be different on each page of your site. Keywords in your Title tag should also show up as H tags in your page if you are using best practices. Another form of Meta Data are ALT tags on your images. This is a great place to use keywords on your page, and they also show up before the image downloads on your site. TaggingTagging has already been described briefly above. It's when you put keywords in your links, or you put H tags on your page that match your Title tag. An example would be this page. In our Title we have the words "search engine optimziation" and then the title at the top of this page is in an H1 tag that also says "search engine optimization". This leaves no search engine confused about the contents of your page - or at least what the contents SHOULD be. We also used styled H2 and H3 tags for the next level of important data on the page, and then B or STRONG tags around words that require some emphasis. ContentContent is obviously one of the most critical parts of search engine optimization. It's not enough to litter your page with keywords, you have to do so in a manner that provides value. I use the words "search engine optimization" on this page often, but I also provide a lot of other content, so this page will have a little more value when being spidered by search engines than just a page that uses "search engine optimization" over and over again. You may notice that some of your competition in search engines have pretty nasty looking pages. This is because they are sacrificing aesthetic value for search engine rank. They are most likely going for the following:
If you have a really pretty site that you just don't want to make ugly for SEO purposes, better concentrate on those inbound links. Content should be "fresh". This means that on your homepage, you need to move your keywords around, keep the content new and valuable. This is especially important if you are struggling with getting inbound links. A website that appears alive will rank better than one that is dead. However, don't just run a blog. Otherwise, search engiens will consider you a blog, and you are more likely to come up in a blog search than the traditional organic search results. Also keep in mind that content and tagging are what will help you get the breadcrumb links under your URL in Google. Have your physical address and phone number in a plain text format on a contact page so that Google can put you next to their maps in their directory with your phone number easily. Little ExtrasSome other areas of SEO that are more low-key but helpful:
There's always more.Like I said early on, search engine algorithms are changing constantly. New techniques are relevant all the time. Every now and then someone finds a new way to move up in page rank, everyone copies, then the search engine devalues the method and everyone gets put back in their place. Positions of listings in seach engines change daily, sometimes hourly, so having a page 1 position today, could be page 2 tomorrow, so you have to keep watching and keep tweaking to maintain your rank. Hire UsNeed help ranking in search engines? Call 208-659-7016 today, or contact us for details and pricing.
Last Updated: 1/12/2010
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