Tuesday, February 17, 2009

SEO Basics by Karen Cayamanda

As the number of existing websites rapidly increases and more and more people are relying on the World Wide Web to get information, optimizing a site is of utmost importance.

Search Engine Optimization or SEO encompasses a wide variety of techniques that aim to improve site traffic and eventually its ranking on search engine results pages. The goal is to secure a place on the top 10 list of major search engines when a visitor types in search terms that are related to the site.

To begin with, you need to determine the keywords or key phrases that people use and be able to incorporate those relevant search terms in your site. The keywords should be present in the meta tags, alt text, title tags, as well as the content on the web pages. Take note, though, that keyword stuffing is not the way to go. Relevant keywords should be placed in such a way that a site visitor will still understand what your site is all about. Identify the keywords that are relevant to your site with the use of good keyword search tools.

Another very important factor is original and compelling content. Create interesting articles on a regular basis and always have something new to offer so people will always visit your site. You can work on how-to articles, tips, and/or engaging stories about your business. You can also share your experiences and knowledge as a professional in the field that you are in.

You also need to look at the design of the site. Keep its layout simple and visually appealing. When it comes to functionalities, make sure they are easy to follow and understand. Let the site visitors know what they can get from your site and what you want them to do.

Other basic factors when it comes to SEO include submitting your site to major search engines, keeping your sitemap updated, and link popularity.

There is a long list of SEO techniques that you can do and a lot of factors to take into account to ensure that your site is optimized enough to land a spot in the top 10 list of major search engines. With adequate SEO knowledge, hard work, and a lot of patience, you will be able to reach your goal.


Maxwell SMB, Inc. is based in Minneapolis, MN and specializes in web design and development for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBers). Please see our portfolio online at http://portfolio.maxwellsmb.com, and our website at http://www.maxwellsmb.com for more information on the services we offer.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/SEO-Basics/738938

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