Web Designing Tutorials

This is a continuation from my October 31, 2009 blog post.  Next on the agenda is to optimize your site for the Search Engines and natural search results.  Here are a few steps you can take to assure your Website will make the best presentation in the Search Engine query results:

1. Keyword Selection - Keywords or Keyword Phrases are what is used in a Search Engine query to find items of interest.  If I were going to find information concerning “shoes”,  I could use that word or narrow the results I expect to receive by using “mens shoes”.  Using Keyword Phrases rather than single words will reduce the number of competitors and increase your opportunity of appearing in the top 30 search results.  You can use Google AdWords External Keyword tool to assist you in selecting quality keywords and phrases.  Use Keywords or Keyword Phrases with the fewest number of competitors and the most search volume.
2. Keyword Placement - Place the Keywords you identified in the Title tag,  Header tag, Alt tag and 2 to 3 times in your Body text.  Use 1 to 3 keywords per Website page and no more, as you do not want the text to appear like “spam”.  The Search Engines will treat “Spam” text negatively in the search results.   Make sure the Keyword placement is natural and the text still reads well.
3. Develop a Sitemap - Develop a Sitemap for your Website which list all of its pages.  Sitemaps help the Search Engines to Index all of the pages of your Website.  The best format is to use XML.  Use this example for what to include and the format for your Sitemap.
4. Submit to Search Engines - Submit your Website and Sitemap to Google,  Bing, and Yahoo.  You will need to sign-up for accounts with each to have access to their Webmaster Tools and the ability to submit your Sitemap to them.  You can submit your Website to the other minor Search Engines, but often times, that will only help to increase your email spam.  In reality, about 85% of of all Searches are performed through Google, so I would put most my optimization efforts there.
5. Build Quality Backlinks - Build quality Backlinks from other Websites to yours.  Quality means Websites that have a Google Page Rank of 4 or above.  The Google Toolbar for Firefox has a Page Rank tool which displays the Google Page Rank for the Website that appears in your browser window.  Including your Keywords as the Link Text is best.  Obtain Links from different sources, not just from all the same Website.
6. Update With New Content - Keep your site updated with new content at least monthly, but weekly is preferred.  Develop a Blog to assist in this effort.  Many Web Hosting companies will have WordPress available for you to use or can install it for you.  WordPress is one of the most popular Open Source Blog software programs available so it has many resouces on the Internet for you to learn how to use it.  You may also use other tools like Quick Blogcast® to develop your Blog which could be a little easier to use and manage.  Search Engines look for new and relevant content in their periodic indexing of your Website.  Updated and New content will provide you with a better Ranking and bring them back more often to re-index your site.

In summary,  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process where you optimize your Website to compete for top placement in Keyword search results.  You can use many Search Engine Marketing (SEM) tools, but you must also use SEO if you expect to have long-term success in your efforts.  Keywords, Backlinks and New Content are the keys to that success!