Search engine optimization, or SEO, scares the heck out of new webmasters. The technical term in daunting in itself, and the SEO tips that are given can be confusing and contradictory. However, search engine optimization does not have to be a horrendous undertaking.
First, why should every website owner care about search engine optimization? Simple. Because that is where the bulk of any website’s traffic should come from. You want people to be able to find your website when they do a search at any search engine.
There are some simple search engine optimization tips for beginners that will get you well on your way to getting that traffic.
SEO Tip One: Domain Name Choice
The domain name you choose is important for two things: branding, and search engine optimization. The name should be relatively short and catchy – something that people can easily remember and associate with your website.
However, it should also contain one or two important keywords that describe what your website is about. If you make a website about socks, for example, you would want the keyword ‘socks’ to be in the domain name.
SEO Tip Two: Choosing Keywords
Choosing keywords for your website usually starts with a brainstorming session. Write down several words that you think describe the topic of your website. Try to be specific. Instead of ‘socks,’ your might choose ‘mens wool socks’ if that better describes your website.
To maximize the search engine optimization potential of these keywords, it is a great idea to visit a free keyword tool. These tools will tell you how many times a keyword is searched for in a month. They might also tell you how many websites come up in the search. For maximum SEO effect, you want to choose popular keywords without too many results.
SEO Tip Three: Writing Website or Blog Content
Now that you have chosen your keywords, you must write your website or blog content or copy, as it is often called. Website copy should be informational, friendly, and carry a 2-4% keyword density. That means how many times your keyword shows up in your writing compared to how many total words.
Search engines will crawl your website looking for keywords and quality content. In order to benefit from your search engine optimization, you must include enough keywords to make the search engines find your website.
SEO Tip Four: Optimization of Website Code
Not only should you put your keywords in the website content, but utilize the HTML or XHTML code tags to your SEO benefit as well. Using title or alt image tags that include your keywords will increase your search engine optimization factor.
SEO Tip Five: Link Building
After your website or blog is all set up with keyword rich content, the last step to good search engine optimization is link building. Essentially, you want to put your website link out as much as possible on other websites, directories, forums, and blogs. You should put your link on quality websites and directories, while avoiding places that are little more than a collection of links that have nothing to do with each other. Utilizing your keyword phrases in the clickable links will also help.
With these five simple search engine optimization, or SEO, tips, even beginner website or blog owners can be on their way to success. All of these simple actions can increase your traffic substantially. The majority of websites get the bulk of their traffic from search engines. Make sure the public can find you as well.