Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

This is a very confusing subject because there are various people putting out information for their own benefit. You can find search engine optmization myths that conflict with each other just by looking at two different "myths" websites. Another reason search engine optimization is a challenge is because it is a moving target.

Here are the best ways to get the job done from simple and cheap to expensive and/or less effective.
(Jump to Frequently Asked Questions)

1. MOST IMPORTANT: Change your Title Tags to include keywords and keywords phrases and adjust titles for pages within your website as appropriate.
2. Be sure each page of your site has actual relevant sentences using the keywords and keyword phrases that you want to get hits on your site from, if your website has few words it will get ranked poorly.
3. Add “Alt Text” to all images on the website using keywords related to that image.
4. Add H1 tags to your website.
5. Get RELATED businesses to link to your site, You have to ask people to do it. It is
   ideal if the link uses keywords for example for my site a link like this would be
   excellent: For graphic design in Sarasota see www.FranksDesigns.com.
6. Put your business on Google's MAP If you have a physical address. CLICK HERE FOR HOW TO DO IT (It is free BUT you need to sign up).
7. Put your information on Directory Sites. I don't like them in my search results BUT! Often they are the 1st link. Many directories are FREE. Some cost money. Don’t pay much for this because there are so many free ones out there. Find them by searching with keywords for a business like yours and see what directories come up.
8. Start a great Blog that links to your site (the articles within the blog should like to your site too). RELATED TO #5 above: This is a big challenge because you have to get people to start visiting your blog so it is labor and communication intensive. Start a blog the easy way… Find a website that is already popular and has blogs already on it where you can join and sign up to be one of the bloggers for that site. Create a weekly or monthly blog about topics relevant to your expertise and the products and/or services you offer. Don't be pushy but be sure to add your information at the end of the blog post and a link to your website.
9. Get articles written about your business and have the online versions of the articles link to your site.
10. Paid Search Engine Optimization. There is nothing wrong with some products and others are just nonsense. Ask lots of questions, ask who some of their customers are and call them to get a feel for whether they are happy with the service.
11. Put ads on your site (ads are related to content so unless you pay attention repeatedly and block certain companies the ads will be for your competitors). Learn more here: Google Adsense.
12. Put Ads on other people's sites and in search engine results. Pay per Click (basically you become a "sponsored link").

FAQs

1. What about having multiple websites for your business? This is only OK if they are separate sites. Multiple URLs that point to the same site is frowned upon by Google and can reduce your ranking.
2. What about other ways to get ranked?
   Be careful. There are some gimmicks for web ranking out there. Ask questions. If you don't trust the source then hold off. It is much better to do #5 than to pay for a gimmick.
3. How long will it take to notice results from Search Engine Optimization?
   If you have a brand new site and you do the first 5 of the tips above you are very likely to see results within a month or two. It is always good to have a site that has been around for several years because that also helps your ranking by showing that you are established. For this reason if you can DON'T change your URL. If you really want another site create another URL and use it as a RELATED site rather than a copy or just another pointer to your main URL. See FAQ #4.
4. Is it good to have several URLs that point to the same website?
   This was OK but currently it is not a good idea because it is frowned upon by Google and may have a slightly negative impact. Save your money or create a secondary site that is related to but not exactly the same as your main site. Of course create a link to point to your main site.
5. How do I know what is going on with my site?
   If you are your own webmaster there are two major Google tools that can be very helpful: *http://www.google.com/webmasters/
   *http://www.google.com/analytics/
6. Where can I get help? Call me I can help you with any of these items.