Articles in the Search Engine Optimization Category
Search Engine Optimization does not involve the complexity of algorithms, trends, and scripts. The truth is, there are simple techniques that experienced web developers and SEO specialists consistently implement to get effective results. The first and most basic SEO techniques begin in the head.
While developing the correct mindset is important, what I really mean is the HTML content between each web pages opening and closing
Every well developed web page has key elements within these tags that might seem inconsequential but actually play a vital role in not only search engine listings but page distinction and identification. These aspects perform the simple duty of providing basic information to a client’s browser and can be easily overlooked or under appreciated.
The Title Tag
The most important tag to include within the head of any web page is the title. The title is displayed at the top of the browser window (and may be displayed on the content tab in some browsers). The content of a web pages title tag is also, often the title used on web links, particularly in social media submissions and almost exclusively in search engine listings. It sets a readers expectation of what is to follow.
Because the title is one of the first elements rendered by the browser, it is the perfect opportunity to begin optimization. Search engines give this prime web real estate more weight when calculating results and considers the title a vital element on every page. The choice of an effective title for your web pages can significantly impact the quality and quantity of your search engine leads.
Meta Detail: Description
While there is some debate regarding the weight of search terms used in the description meta tag, this tag plays a significant role in the results of your search engine optimization. In the past, search engines used the description given in this meta tag when displaying search results. Now, while results usually gather their information from the instance of particular keywords in the pages main content the description meta tag still impacts search engine rankings.
Google representative, Vanessa Fox confirms that the tag plays an important role. It is important to use an unique description for every page to prevent duplicate content penalties. While it is impossible to know exactly how much power your web page description holds in final results, it is opportunity to optimize your pages with a mind to your keywords and content that should not be overlooked.
Meta Detail: Keywords
There is no arguing that keywords and keyword phrases generate maximum impact when optimizing you web pages for search engine results. The keyword meta tag allows us to add additional focus to up to twenty keywords and keyword variations every page. The methods of selecting keywords and using keywords effectively in your site content is more than this post could possibly begin to contain but in most cases, the obvious keywords to use are self-evident.
While there is no way to control how, or if, the information you provide in these tags is displayed in search results, the inclusion of accurate, relevant, and unique keywords and descriptions can influence a searchers choice to click through to your site. They allow searchers to evaluate the quality and relevance your content may have for their current needs. This leads to increased targeting and decreased bounce rates.
Points To Remember
- Search engines each work in differing ways.
- Small changes can create a significant increase in resulting traffic.
- SEO techniques are often basic and simple to implement
- Each page of your website should have these important head elements
- Each web page should have a unique title, description, and keywords.
Finally, when considering SEO remember – UNIQUE – RELEVANT – DESCRIPTIVE
Any questions?
There are some fantastic experts in the field of SEO but Joost de Valk has to be one of the best. He specializes in Search Engine Optimization for Wordpress users and not only does he share wonderful tips and advice to enhance your SEO he has also developed a number of useful plugins that make it easy for non-programmer Wordpress users to put SEO into action.
Spend an hour with Joost de Valk! Honestly, it is an hour very well spent. You’ll want to keep your notebook handy because in one hour Joost de Valk shares links to plugins and tips to optimize your Wordpress blog for search engines. Of course, if you’re like me and find listening to videocast difficult to follow, Joost de Valk has broken down many of the tips he shares in this video on his blog, “Wordpress SEO – Yoast.Com“. If you’re really eager to learn simple ways to optimize your blog for search engines you should read and watch, then discuss your thoughts in the comments!
WordPress SEO & Optimisation Strategies a4uexpo London 2008 from existem on Vimeo. I’d like to share my thanks to Squeaky from Mad Mouse Blog for first bringing this great video to my attention.
What were your favorite tips from Joost de Valk’s presentation? Have you started using any of these tips on your own blog? Is there anything you disagree with in Joost de Valk’s approach? Please, share your thoughts in the comments.
At Word Camp 2008 in San Fransisco, Stephan Spencer talked about mistakes bloggers make when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Take thirty minutes today to learn these mistakes, how to avoid them, and how you can optimize your blog for better search engine results.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has been a concept that has been around for years. It predates Google if you can believe that. I remember, because my first Web designs predate Google too. In 1998, Google was small fish against MSN, ruler of IE browser search bar, and Yahoo, the hub of the Web. Even then, SEO was a buzz term and anyone serious about designing websites that got indexed learned the tips and techniques necessary for robot loving.
Today, many of those basic tips and techniques are still valid. Search Engines are smarter, faster, and have expanded to consume the girth of the internet. Robots scan and index hundreds of sites every minute. Finding your placement amongst search rankings has never been harder but thankfully, it is not all out of our hands.
Of course, I could never explain how it all works in a single blog post. Why does it work? How does it work? Does anyone truly know? Thankfully, everything I know about SEO I learned online and you can too.
ê¿êspi20.com recently covered a few key SEO techniques that anyone can get started on right now and create a huge impact on their search engine results. Learn, “Just What The Heck Is SEO And Why Do You Want It?“, why “Pictures Are Not Only Worth 1000 Words They’re Worth SEO“, and “One Last Step To Achieve SEO Nirvana“.
One of my favorite resources for mastering the blogiverse is Darren Rowse’s Problogger.Net. Along with a wealth of information such as, “7 Essential Things You Should Be Doing When Your Blog Is Still Young” you’ll find you are only just breaking the surface of Problogger’s fantastic content with, “How To Get Search Engine Traffic To Your Blog“.
I’ve even dug a gold nugget of information from Chris Garrett on “The Right Way To Build Internal Links For Blog SEO“.
With so much information available it can be hard to distill and absorb. Would you rather I broke it all down for you element by element? Or should I just keep the links coming from time to time?
