SEO 101 - Search Engine Optimization Basics

First the definition...

Search engine optimization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it "ranks", the more searchers will visit that site. SEO can also target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines.

As a marketing strategy for increasing a site's relevance, SEO considers how search algorithms work and what people search for. SEO efforts may involve a site's coding, presentation, and structure, as well as fixing problems that could prevent search engine indexing programs from fully spidering a site. Other, more noticeable efforts may include adding unique content to a site, ensuring that content is easily indexed by search engine robots, and making the site more appealing to users. Another class of techniques, known as Black Hat SEO or spamdexing, use methods such as link farms and keyword stuffing that tend to harm search engine user experience. Search engines look for sites that employ these techniques and may remove their listings.

What is SaaS...

Software as a Service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software application delivery model where a software vendor develops a web-native software application and hosts and operates (either independently or through a third-party) the application for use by its customers over the Internet. Customers do not pay for owning the software itself but rather for using it.

The term SaaS has become the industry preferred term and SiteClimb is a SaaS tool.

 

How does SEO work...Am I search engine friendly?

For SEO to work, your website must be "search engine friendly". This means making sure that each page is compliant with search engine standards and ready to be indexed. Here are the key areas to focus on.

Key Words

Have your list of target keywords ready - you'll need to insert them into your pages.

Page Title

The title of the HTML page should be short and describe the page content accurately. Try to include keywords.

Metatags

Use the description and keywords metatags in the head of each web page. Make these tags different on each web page. Example:

<meta name="description" content="Personalized gifts and more. Watches, jewelry, and more">
<meta name="keywords" content="gifts, watches, jewelry, store, shop, retail, discount">

Heading Tags

Use heading tags. Many search engines place more emphasis on text within heading tags, so make sure they use keywords.

<h1>Gifts</h1>
<h2>Watches</h2>
<p>... information about watches...</p>
<h2>Jewelry</h2>
<p>... information about jewelry, etc etc...</p>

Page Text

Make sure your web pages contain keywords and common phrases which people might search for embedded in the text. Be careful with the frequency of your keywords - you want to have them appear a few times if possible, but don't repeat them so much that the copy becomes spammed. The idea is to spread keywords around without making it obvious.

<p>Buy personalized gifts at affordable prices from any of our retail stores.</p>

Remember that text contained within images won't be picked up by search engines. Only actual text on the page will be indexed. PLEASE NOTE: SiteClimb is the only application that can overcome this challenge for all those image-based web sites.

Remember...Keep it simple and under control for maximum impact.

SEO 101 - The Basics

Here are some other 'tid-bits' of information that will help you better understand what SEO is all about...we've tried to capture some of the important basics here. Doing a basic 'SEO' search on the Internet will produce an overwhelming amount of facts, articles and Q&A about SEO...hopefully this section will be a good resource.

--One of the most cost effective methods of advertising, search engines are the #1 way Internet users find websites and search engine marketing continues to deliver the highest pre-qualified audience online.

--Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process that aligns a website's code and content with strategic keyword phrase targeting, ultimately assisting a search engine algorithm in understanding a website's keyword/phrase focus. SEO can be simple for some websites, while others may require intense website code, content, navigation and internal linking changes.

--Many search engines determine the value of websites based on the number and quality of other websites linking to it. ...this is sometimes referred to as Link Popularity...very important to achieving a high ranking in the search list.

--Try to avoid 'over-optimizing' your web site...you can actually be flagged/penalized for stuffing as many key words/phrases as possible...especially in your title. Keeping it simple and effective is the best approach.

--Be creative...use key words & phrases that will pull visitors to your site. Putting key words & phrases in your header is a good practice...as well as balancing this approach throughout your pages...even dsitribution is key here.

--The end user is KING...you are trying to attain a very high search engine listing BUT these efforts may be a waste of time if the end user is not satisfied and cannot find basic information...again a balance between effective SEO and a user-friendly web site with quality content is the perfect combination.