SEO Techniques #2: Keywords Are King

The first step in a search engine optimization strategy is to take a close look at your website and evaluate the words it uses. To do this you need to think like a savvy internet searcher and answer a few basic questions:

* What words would someone enter into a search engine, like Google or Yahoo, if he or she were seeking what your website offers?
* Are there catch phrases that describe your specific site’s content?
* What can you do to make your site receive a higher rank on the search
engine results page?

To make your site more appealing to search engines let’s take a look at
one of the vital search engine optimization tips – using keywords efficiently.

Understand How the Search Engine Works

Search engines are becoming more exotic and sophisticated. They are different from each other in that each one has a very unique set of algorithms that control how they seek answers to the search question typed in by the searcher. By definition an algorithm is a series of mathematical instructions used by the search engine to arrive at a specific conclusion, i.e. the answer to the searchers question. Although not entered as a question each search made is asking the search engine to find specific data, the answer, to the searcher’s entry. The search engine will literally scour the internet to find words matching the entry. As you see on search results pages, each word of the searcher’s entry are highlighted, with the highest ranking going to those with the words most closely like the search, and closest together in the text of the website. So, you must concentrate on the use of keywords in your website to obtain a high level of search engine optimization.

Choosing Correct Keywords

Your site is unique. It’s one of a kind, at least to you. But to the search engine it is one in a million. To make your site attractive to the search engine try a few search engine optimization techniques related to keywords:

* Study your site thoroughly. Keywords should flow naturally in the text of your site. Search engines are quick to detect stilted or unnatural text designed simply to use specific keywords. Be focused on making your site au naturel.
* Pick your keywords carefully. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Use current, up-to-date keywords directly related to what your website offers.
* Do not over use keywords. Search engine marketing is enhanced by quality keyword usage – not by quantity.

Go ahead. Analyze your website with particular attention paid to the keywords you are using. A little editing of your site might increase web traffic significantly. In SEO keywords are king. Properly placed in the text of your website and in the title of your main title page keywords can be catalyst to getting your site on track. They can catch the eye of the search engine as it scans the web. With proper, relevant, apropos usage they can elevate your website in the search engine's results page. And that is what search engine optimization is all about – getting more visitors to your site!

image credits to xjy

Use SEO To Improve Your Ranking After Getting Indexed

Getting indexed is a vital part of your search engine optimization strategy, but it is the first step of the journey. After you have become successfully indexed don’t drop the ball. Your next SEO technique concerns improving your ranking on search engine results pages. When a search is made you want your website to be front and center on page number one of the results if at all possible. To increase web traffic you will want to employ some fresh ideas to get your site noticed by search engines. Here’s a few to consider.

Increase Your Online Presence

The best way to get noticed online is to be there. Not just on your website. Be there in different places at different times all across the internet, particularly in areas that are pertinent to your little niche of influence and expertise. Consider signing up forums or getting involved in communities in your field. A quick internet search will probably reveal several, if not an abundance, of these sites where participants are chatting about the very things that interest you. So, get going. Make a name for yourself! And, while you are doing it, don’t forget to drop in links to your website. This is an effective search engine optimization technique, since the engines will see these as back links to your site, which has the added benefit of giving you a higher ranking in their search results. As you answer people’s questions and make interesting postings on these forums and communities you present yourself as knowledgeable in your field, which adds to your credibility. So, become an expert. After all, you are, aren’t you?

Keywords Unlock Your Website

Remember this: keywords come with a caveat. Your site needs to use them in a very natural and unobtrusive way. And they need to be winners. Try putting some serious thought into the keywords you use. Are they different? Or, are there a hundred, or a thousand, or a million other sites using exactly the same keywords? To get the search engine to notice your site and to rank it higher than competing sites use compelling keywords. Use keywords that narrow the focus to your specific talents. A keyword like “author” would give the search engine thousands of possibilities, but using “mystery author” might just get it to rank you highly on its results page. You can bring your search engine marketing to a higher level with well thought out keywords.

Directories Give You Exposure

Another great search engine optimization technique is to write articles and share them on article directory sites and on content sharing sites. These specialized websites allow you to post your writings in categories apropos to your specific interests and to those of its users. The mystery author above will find plenty of possibilities for sharing his or her talents on sites like these. Normally you can append a little biographical blurb to your article which can include a back link to your website.

Bingo! The article itself catches the search engine’s eye, and the back link further enhances your visibility to the engine. Remember, the more legitimate occurrences you offer the engine the better your ranking in its results. But, note the word “legitimate.” Avoid the temptation to share articles that are already on your website. Search engines do not like duplicate content. They thrive on originality in various locations. Write unique articles which are informative, interesting, readable, and likable by the site’s visitors. Also, make sure to employ a proper keyword density of around two percent of the text. Articles with too many keywords send up red flags to the engines, which might actually hurt your search ranking.

As you apply your search engine optimization program you will want to evaluate your success along the way. Begin by measuring web traffic prior to using your SEO techniques. This gives you a baseline to relate to. Then, as you implement various techniques, measure your traffic periodically to determine the effectiveness of certain strategies you are using. If you notice more increase in web traffic from article directories than from forums, then reevaluate your postings on the forums. Decide how to make them more effective for maximum search engine optimization.

image credits to Sven Werk