Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) – What is it?

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by Michiel

Using Relevant Search Terms

Search Engine Optimisation is a process you employ to ensure top rankings in the search engines for the most relevant search terms on a website. When somebody is looking for a particular topic on the web they type in a relevant phrase. These phrases are the most relevant search terms. SEO processes target these search terms and high ranking will be sought for these search terms.

The first stage of the SEO process is to choose the relevant search terms for your website and put preferable one term per relevant page, but two per page is ok. Splitting large pages means you can make two pages and use a different search term on each page. Matching the search terms to the content of the page is very important.

Structuring the links within the site.

It is important that search engine spiders can find the all of your sites pages. The aim is to get your pages put in the search engines index. Indexing improves the chances of higher rating. Below are some things to remember to improve the chance of search engine spiders finding your pages.

• Do not use links created by Javascript, spiders cannot read them.


• When using Session ID's in URL's, check the rules about their use particularly if you are looking for Google ranking.


• Make sure all pages link to at least one other pages.


• Structure the internal links (page links) so that your targeted search terms are reinforced. This means making sure that the pages with sub topics of a topic link to the topic page using the correct link text.

Off page elements - Link Text
This element is one of two important points for good rankings. You can put link text on pages within your site or on the pages of other sites. Here's the point, the main search term on the target pages should be included in the link text. Where possible, use different link text for every link that links to a page, but always include the target page's main search term in the link text.

On page elements
The aim here is to make sure that all page elements link to the target search terms on each page. Consider the following:

The Title Tag
This is the second of the two important elements for good ranking. Ensure the page's search term is contained in this tag. Put it near to the front as possible. Make sure it reads well. Remember each page's title tag should be different to that for other pages.
The Description Tag
Write an attractive description tag for each page and include the search terms in it at least twice. Make sure the search term
is mentioned at the beginning if possible.
The H Tag (Header Tag)
H tags have numbers from 1-6 with 1 being the biggest heading size. H tags carry more weight when read by the search engines. So include the H tag as near the top of the page as possible and include search terms in the tag at least once if not more on the page.
Text
Using the search terms in the text on the page as much as possible is important. Put the terms early on in the page and as much throughout the page as possible without losing the readability of the content. Search terms put in bold text carries extra weight but not as much as H tags. If a word from the search term words is found in the text but is separate from the other search term words. It can only help.
ALT Text
Make sure you put the search terms in the alt text of all images on the page.

So in summary, the key to effective search engine optimization is to initially choose relevant search terms. Then ensure you have search terms correctly placed in strategic elements of your website construction. These elements being at the point of link construction, in off-page elements and on-page elements. It is important to note that while search engine optimization is very effective it does not happen overnight. Be prepared to be meticulous in your implementation of SEO and patient in reaping the rewards.

Michiel Van Kets provides articles for Dave Glynn, who owns Searchenginesensation.com. They are part of Atomic Web Solutions and offer professional search engine optimisation (optimization) and web marketing services including pay-per-click campaign setup and management.

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