Search Engine Optimization Techniques

Getting your website listed on some of the more popular search engines is not difficult. However, it does take time and pateince and good understanding of how search engines work. The following are some good tips as to where to begin your quest for the top positions!

Learn basic HTML

A lot of search engine optimization techniques involve editing the HTML code of your web site. Your rankings can depend on knowing which codes are necessary, and which aren't. Minimally, you should be able to view the source code of any page and understand what it all means, as well as be able to edit it as needed.

There are many tutorials out the Web to help you learn the basics of HTML.

Resources:
W3Schools HTML Tutorial

Carefully pick keyword phrases

The phrases you think might be perfect for your site may not be what people are actually searching for. To find the optimal words for your site, use a research tool such as Wordtracker. Decide on two or three highly targeted phrases for each page of your site. Never target general keywords such as "travel" or "vacation" as they are rarely descriptive of what your site is really about.

Don't attempt to target the most popular keywords. Doing this will put you in competition with more websites competing for the same mouse clicks.

Resources:
www.wordtracker.com

Write approximately 200-250 words of visible text copy based on your chosen keywords

This is a very important component to a high rankings web site. The search engine spiders need to be able to read keyword-rich copy on your pages so they can understand how to rank your site. Write the copy based on your keyword phrases, and not the other way around. Don't be afraid to use your phrases as many times as it makes sense to do so. The optimal number of instances will vary by search engine, the number of words on your page, and also by how well the copy actually reads to a person. Simply sticking keyword phrases at the top of the page or only in headlines probably will not improve your web sites ranking.

To test your web pages use a tool like ranks.nl to see how much density you have given your pages. Keyword density is the measure of keywords to non keywords. For example if your targetting the keyword "travel" a sentence like:

"I like to travel to see and do exciting things"

Would rate a keyword density of 10%. There are 10 words in that sentence and one of them is a keyword.

Resources:
www.ranks.nl

Place keywords in your Title tags

Title tags are critical because they're given a lot of weight with all of the search engines. You must put your keyword phrases into this tag and not waste space with extra words. Do not waste the space in your title tag to display only your company name or leave it blank. It should reflect exactly what your web page is about, using the keyword phrases people might be using at a search engine to find your company web site.

Its the first thing a search engine spider reads after your meta tags.

Make sure your site has back-links

Other sites linking to yours is a critical component of successful search engine optimization, all of the major search engines place a lot of wieght to your web site popularity. Make certain the content on your web site is of the highest quality so that other web sites will want to link to it. You have to have a compelling reason why people should link to your website.

The Mighty Meta tags - Or are they?

Meta tags have some value, but they are not the most important optimization for your site. Create a Meta Description tag that uses your keywords and also describes your site. The information in this tag often is used for your title in the search engines results, especially if the keyword phrase that was searched upon in the engine appears in your tag. The Meta Keyword tag isn't quite as important as the Meta Description tag but use your search phrases as keywords and don't use keywords that are not in your web site copy.

Be careful when submitting your web site to directories

Having directory listings are a key component to getting your site spidered and listed by Google and the other search engines. Therefore it's important to read each directory's FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and follow it carefully. Making mistakes in the submission process could cost you dearly as directory listings are difficult to change after your listed.

Most lists are maintained by real flesh and blood people (ie DMOZ) so try and make their job easier by following the submission instructions carefully.

Resources:
Submitting your website to Google
Submitting your website to DMOZ.org

Patience is a Virtue and Content is King

Getting high rankings takes time and patience, there's no getting around it. Once your site is added to a search engine its rankings may start out low and then slowly work its way up the ranks to a respectable position. All search engines measure link popularity, and it takes time to really and truly become one of the most popular sites in your market.

Bottom line be patient and keep adding content to your website. Content is King.