Search Engine Optimization is one way in which
you can get your website in front of the search engines. But
what do you need to do in the Search Engine Optimization process?
And is it worth it? I will give a quick overview of some of
the factors involved and I'll let you determine for yourself
if it is worth it.
KEYWORDS
First and foremost, search engines look for keywords and
keyword phases in which to index your webpages. So you must
prepare each page for the search engines. Thus, when you
are writing copy for your website, keep four or five keywords
that you want to emphasize for that webpage -- then weave
the words into the copy.
However, don't blatantly use the keywords over and over
again -- or as they say -- use keyword stuffing -- or the
search engines will penalize you for it. And, needless to
say, your readers will click away, if the flow of the copy
is so obviously stuffed with your keywords that it jeopardizes
the quality of the copy. Quality of copy first, keywords
second.
META-TAGS
There are several meta-tags that the search engines look
at. The two most important are:
1. Title
2. Description
Both the Title and the Description Tags should have your
most relevant keywords. Now, the keywords meta-tags is not
used by Google, but the other search engines may utilize
them. Are they important? It really depends who you are talking
too. Some say, by putting the keywords into your webpage
you are giving your competitors the edge. Others, feel that
if your competitors want to know what keywords you are using
they will find a way. (I'm of the latter's thinking.)
LINKING
Linking is another important factor in Search Engine Optimization.
Without proper linking -- or establishing a linking campaign
-- your great site may not be found by the search engines.
You need to find ways in which to allow human visitors, beside
yourself, to find you.
INBOUND LINKS
Inbound links -- links pointing to your website is very
good for search engine rankings, and gives more ways for
human visitors to find your website.
How do you get inbound links? Write articles and place them
on article directories for ezine publishers, newsletter publishers,
or bloggers to pick up.
Blogs is another way in which you can get one-way links
to your site. Again, that same article you wrote for the
article directories can be put in your blog and then submitted
to a Blog Directory. Just do a search on Goggle for "Blog
Directory" and you should find enough to keep you busy.
OUTBOUND LINKS
An outbound link is a url that you have on your site that
points to another website. An outbound link on your site
means that you feel the link has quality content for your
readers -- and you are redirecting them to it from your site.
So, what does outbound linking offer you? You can see what
an outbound link can do for another website, right? Well,
by carefully linking to other sites-- relevant sites -- you
can increase your own relevancy.
So be careful who you link too -- because outbound links
figures into the entire ranking algorithm process -- or restated
-- your page ranking.
To conclude, this overview is just the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to SEO. It's not an easy task, and it is time-comsuming.
Will you see a quick return moneywise. No, but SEO will eventually
give you the money you seek, as well as, offer you longevity.
And isn't that what you want--longevity? I know I sure do.
I would rather be the tortoise, and not the hare -- and slowly,
but methodically move in the direction of my dream of a home
career. If you take the wrong shortcuts, you can lose your
dream and your home career. So, is SEO worth it? I think
so. How about you.
Vickie J Scanlon has a BBA degree in Administrative Management
and Marketing. Visit her site at: http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz for
free tools, articles related to affiliate marketing, ebooks,
how to info, affiliate opportunities – all aimed toward
the affiliate marketer and the marketing process.
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