Search Engine Optimization - the basics

Started by linavi390, 08-24-2011, 01:52:33

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linavi390Topic starter

Link structure within the site

An obvious, but sometimes overlooked, aspect of search engine optimization is to make sure that search engine spiders can actually find (crawl) all of the site's pages. If they can't find them, they sure as hell won't get spidered and indexed, and no amount of search engine optimization on them will help.

Some points to note
Spiders can't see links that are accomplished by Javascript so, as far as search engines are concerned, they don't exist. Don't use them if you want spiders to follow your links.
Google won't spider any URL that looks like it has a Session ID in it, so URLs with longish numbers in them must be avoided. These are usually dynamic URLs.
Make sure that all pages link to at least one other page. Links to pages that don't link out are called "dangling links", and the reason to avoid them can be found here.
It is good to structure the internal links so that targeted search terms are reinforced. E.g. organize the links so that a topic's sub-topic pages link to the topic page with the right link text (see below), and vice-versa.

Off-page elements

Link text
<a href="url">some link text</a>
This is one of the two most important elements for good rankings. The link text can be on pages within the site or on other sites' pages. Either way, it is important. The target page's main search term should be included in the link text. When possible, don't use identical link text for every link that links to a page, but do include the target page's main search term in the link text.

Google attributes link text to the target page - as actually being on the target page, and it treats it's pseudo-presence as being an important element of the target page. Links carry even more weight if the text around them is concerned with the target page's topic and search term(s).

On-page elements

The Title tag
<title>some title words</title>
This is second of the two most important elements for good rankings. Make sure that the page's search term is contained in this tag, and place it as near to the front as is reasonable, whilst ensuring that it reads well. There's nothing wrong with placing the search term up front on its own, followed by a period; e.g. "Pagerank. Google's PageRank and how to make the most of it". The target search term is, of course, "PageRank". Obviously each page's Title tag should be different to the Title tags on the site's other pages.

The Description tag
<meta name="description" content="a nice description">
Some search engines, such as Google, don't display the Description like they used to do but, even so, it should still be included in each page for those engines that do, and for the odd times when even Google displays it. Write an appealing description for the page and incorporate the page's search term into it at least once and, preferably, twice. Place one instance of it at the start or as near to the start as is reasonably possible.

The Keywords tag
<meta name="keywords" content="some keywords">
The words in the Keywords tag were never treated as keywords by the search engines; they were treated as text on the page. The tag isn't as effective as it used to be but there is no reason to leave it out. So put plenty of relevant keywords into the tag and include the search term once at the front, and a second time further along the line. There is no need to seperate keywords and keyphrases with commas, as is often done, since the engines ignore commas.

The H tag
<Hn>some heading words</Hn>
"n" is a number from 1 to 6; the biggest heading size being 1. H tags are given more weight than ordinary text and, the bigger the H size, the more weight it receives. So include the target search term in H tags at least once on the page, and two or three times if possible. Also, place the first H tag as near to the top of the page as possible.

Bold text
Bold text is given more weight than ordinary text but not as much as H tags. As much as is reasonable, enclose the search term in bold tags when it appears on the page.

Text
Use the search term as often as you can on the page whilst not detracting from the page's readability. Make sure that you use the term once or twice very early in the page's body text and as often as possible throughout. Reword small parts, and even add sentences, to make sure that the search term is well represented in the text.

In all probability, each word in the search term will be found on the page seperate from the search term itself. This is good. In fact, if they are not there on their own, add a few of them through the page.

Alt text
<img src="url" alt="some alt text which is displayed on mouseover">
Include the search term in the alt text of all images on the page. Keep in mind that some systems such as Braille readers and speach synthesisers use the alt text, so you might want to make them usable whilst including the search term.



John23

It's really good post. As of me Search Engine Optimization is the process or practice of designing web pages so that they rank as high as possible in search results from search engines. Typically, the earlier (or higher) a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine.
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prcys

Each and every person know that SEO is the one way for internet marketing.  But the basic concept for development of  SEO is to set the relevant pages of search at top position so that user can easily find solution for their query.

Webcash

#3
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website's visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). It involves optimizing various elements of a website to make it more attractive to search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

The basics of SEO can be categorized into two main areas: on-page optimization and off-page optimization.

On-Page Optimization:
This refers to optimizing the elements within a website to improve its search engine rankings. Some key factors include:

1. Keywords: Identifying relevant keywords for your content and incorporating them naturally throughout your website.

2. Meta Tags: Optimizing meta titles and descriptions to accurately describe your web pages and attract users.

3. Content Optimization: Creating high-quality, unique, and informative content that provides value to users. This includes using headers, bullets, and visuals to enhance readability.

4. URL Structure: Developing clean and descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords and make it easier for search engines to understand your website's structure.

5. Internal Linking: Connecting relevant web pages within your site through internal links to improve navigation for both users and search engines.

Off-Page Optimization:
This refers to activities performed outside of your website to improve its visibility and credibility. Key factors include:

1. Backlinks: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites to signal to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable.

2. Social Signals: Building a strong social media presence and encouraging shares, likes, and comments to increase brand visibility and traffic.

3. Online Directories: Listing your business on reputable directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and Yellow Pages to improve your online presence and local search visibility.

4. Guest Blogging: Contributing high-quality content to other websites as a guest author in exchange for backlinks and exposure.

5. Online Reputation Management: Monitoring and managing reviews and feedback from customers, addressing negative feedback promptly, and maintaining a positive online reputation.

aspects of SEO:

Site Speed: The loading speed of your website is an essential factor in SEO. Slow websites can result in a poor user experience and lower search rankings. Optimizing images, minifying code, and leveraging caching techniques can help improve site speed.

Mobile-Friendliness: With the majority of internet users accessing websites through mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly design is crucial. Responsive design ensures that your website adapts to different screen sizes and provides a seamless user experience across devices.

User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that provide a positive user experience. This includes having intuitive navigation, easy-to-read content, and clear calls-to-action. Make sure your website is visually appealing, accessible, and easy to navigate.

Site Architecture: Establishing a logical structure for your website helps search engines understand its organization. Use categories, subcategories, and internal linking to create a hierarchy that guides both users and search engines through your content.

Schema Markup: Implementing structured data (schema markup) on your website helps search engines understand the context of your content. This can improve the visibility of rich snippets, such as star ratings, reviews, and other additional information in search results.

Local SEO: If you have a physical business location, optimizing for local search is crucial. Claiming your Google My Business listing, ensuring consistent NAP (name, address, phone number) information across directories, and gathering positive reviews are all important for local SEO.

Analytics and Monitoring: Regularly analyzing and monitoring your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics helps you understand how users interact with your site. Analyzing data can uncover insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and keyword performance, allowing you to make data-driven decisions for SEO optimization.

Keyword Research: Conducting thorough keyword research helps you identify the terms and phrases users are searching for in relation to your website's content. By targeting relevant keywords in your optimization efforts, you increase the likelihood of ranking higher in search results.

Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Crafting compelling and descriptive title tags and meta descriptions for each page of your website is important. These snippets appear in search results and can significantly impact click-through rates.

Image Optimization: Optimizing images on your website by providing descriptive alt text, compressing file sizes, and using appropriate file names can improve your website's visibility in image searches and contribute to overall SEO.

Site Accessibility: Ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is not only an ethical consideration but also an aspect of SEO. Implementing accessibility best practices, such as using proper heading structures and alternative text for images, can enhance user experience and search engine visibility.

Link Building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable and relevant websites is an essential part of off-page SEO. Focus on building relationships, creating valuable content, and engaging in guest posting or outreach to earn quality backlinks.

Social Media Integration: While social media signals may not directly impact search rankings, having a strong social media presence can help amplify your content, increase brand visibility, and drive traffic to your website.

Site Security (HTTPS): Switching to HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) by obtaining an SSL certificate adds a layer of security to your website. This not only provides a safer browsing experience for users but can also contribute to improved search rankings.

Local SEO Optimization: If your business caters to a specific geographic location, optimizing your website for local search is crucial. This includes incorporating location-specific keywords, adding your business address to your website, and utilizing Google My Business to enhance local visibility.

Mobile-First Indexing: With Google's shift to mobile-first indexing, ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly and functions well on mobile devices is essential for SEO.

newbielink:http://www.webcashguide.com [nonactive]
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sushilsilicon

In On-Page and Off-Page Search Engine Optimization Techniques the following terms are involved

In On -Page Includes:

1. Meta Tag Optimization.

2. Sidebar Link Optimization

3. Alt and H1,H2 Tag Optimization

4. W3C Validation Optimization

5. Duplicate Content Optimization

6. Keyword Research and Analysis


In Off-Page Includes:

1. Social Bookmarking

2. Directory Submission

3. Search Engine Submission

4. RSS Feed Submission

5. Forum Posting & Commenting

6. Blog Posting and Commenting

7. Press Release Submission

8. One-way Link Building

9. Social Networking Submission

10. Podcast Posting

11. Atom Posting

12. Classified Ads Posting

13. Video Posting

14. Article Submission
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Maddy

Installation of Google Analytics
Submission of URL to Google Webmaster tools, and code installed into your site to verify
Similar code verification for Alexa, Yahoo, Bing
Keyword researching, competitor research, benchmarking
Directory submission with full lisiting and photos, images, keyword rich information
Article writing (500 words) submitting to article sites and press release sites
Blog creation on wordpress, Blog on Google (blogspot)
Google maps directory verification and submission
DMOZ submission
Facebook, Twitter, social networking accounts, creating proper profiles
Setting up Google Alerts for competitors and your own URL to track appearance on the internet
Meta tags and meta description for your website, alt tags on images, proofreading for grammar etc
Web page copy composition in a style to suit your site, using anchor text to link to internal pages within your sites

DavisJoseph

linavi390

On-page Techniques:


  • Write Unique Content
    Include Keyword in First Paragraph
    Include Keyword in Title Tag
    Include Keyword in URL
    Create a Meta Description
    Include Keyword in Meta Keywords
    Balance Keyword Density
    Include Keyword in Main Image URL and Alt Tag
    Use Bold / Strong / Italics Attributes in Text Body
    Link from External Sites with Keyword in Anchor Text

Off page techniques :


  • Press Release Promotion
    Community Creation in Social Networking Sites
    Directory Submission
    Social Bookmarking
    Classifieds Submission
    Forum Postings
    Blog posting
    Article Submission
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