Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a combination of strategies that help you get your website found on the search engines. Search engine optimization is important because it means your prospective customers can find you by entering simple search terms. While you should focus strongly on SEO, you also have to make sure that you get traffic, and that your traffic converts. So how do you bring all of this together?
- Don’t Get Penalized
It is hugely important to get really high search engine rankings. This means that you have to employ a number of different SEO tools on your site. However, do it wrong or do it too much, and your site could be penalized. Hence, make sure you do not do any of the following things:
- Using hidden links or texts.
- Having lots of automated queries loaded with irrelevant keywords.
- Keyword stuffing.
- Duplicating content on multiple pages and domains.
- Choose the Right Keywords and Phrases
If you use the right keywords, then you will get more relevant traffic as well. Hence, by choosing the right keywords, you will get better business results. Be open minded and think outside of the box. The traffic that comes to your site doesn’t come from just one keyword, it comes from multiple keywords instead. Hence, be creative and do a bit of linguistic research.
- Make Sure Your Title and Meta Tags Are Optimized
One of the most important SEO strategies is to make sure your Title tag is properly optimized. This means that the keyword is in the title as well, as the Google bots will think it is more relevant. Additionally, you should add it to the meta description, and some search engine bots like that.
- Make Sure Your Content Is Optimized
The most important thing on your website is your content. It should have the keyword in, but not too much, so that it is relevant. The first two paragraphs are the most important. Don’t keyword stuff it, however, as this can get you penalized. Rather, stick to a density of around 1.5% and make sure all content has at least 200 to 250 words.
- Have Clean Coding
You have to make sure that your HTML code is right, which you have to do manually. Some WYSIWYG HTML editors add tags that have no business being there, and they look bad to the spiders. Avoid Flash and Java Applet, as the spiders can’t read this at all.
- Focus on Link Building
Link building is hugely important, but it is even more important that you do it right. The links have to go to relevant websites, and you must avoid link farms. Additionally, do not build hundreds of websites yourself and then link them to each other. Rather, you should write engaging pieces of text for independent websites within your own niche, that link back to you. And, naturally, don’t forget to link back to them as a thank you as well.