This article, as the name implies, deals with search engine optimization in general, and links in particular.  In previous articles, I have dealt with related search engine optimization topics such as choosing the right domain name for your website and creating the title, meta tags, and content for your website.

This article is not intended to be a definitive work on search engine optimization, particularly as many search engines keep changing the rules. It, and previous articles are intended, however to give the internet marketing beginner some insight into the subject.

Search engine optimization is not magic, and it does tend to incorporate a few basic tenets.  When followed, these steps, methods, or actions CAN increase the visibility and ranking of a website in a search engine’s returns.  It is popularly, and fairly accurately, stated that most people will pick a site from those listed on the first page of a search’s results.  However, that is not the final spot that everyone picks from, nor is every site in exact competition with yours nor attractive to search engines for the same reasons, or keywords, or content as yours. (more…)

The fabled tales of successfully tricking search engines into high rankings have given way to a new truth, to achieve decent consistent ranking you cannot engage in tricks but on focused optimization done in a professional ethical manner. According to search sources, with the latest Google update, there is no longer an even playing field when it comes to search placement. The new Google ranking system gives an advantage to large, established businesses that have achieved brand recognition. Does this mean small businesses should give up on the Web as a marketing model? No, of course not, they simply must develop quality content. To increase your natural ranking (search engine rankings that are not paid for) you must:

Write Good Text Copy.

The website copy should contain relevant text. Websites that use text rather than large images will load faster and the search engines can easily spider the text of the website for themes and keywords. Search engines cannot discern the meaning of words and phrases that are presented as an image. If you do use an image, be sure to include a brief phrase or keyword as an ALT tag. The ALT tags help website visitors who are visually impaired. ALT tags also convey the meaning of the image to search engines. (more…)

Did you know that 89% of search engine traffic goes through Google?  Google is number one in search engine traffic.  Therefore, you need to optimize your website on Google.  Other search engines recognize that Google is the leader in search engine traffic.  Therefore, other search engines are modeling their search engines off of Google.  So if you optimize your website for Google then it will work well with the other search engines.

Internet marketing gurus know that you need to take full advantage of Google’s search engine traffic.  Therefore, they have intensely examined Google’s search engine algorithm.  This analysis enabled them to implement the most effective way to optimize their webpages.

The strategy they created works for any website.  Let’s talk about how you can apply this strategy to your squeeze page.  Why your squeeze page?  Your squeeze page is the most important part of your website.  It is where you will earn subscribers to build your customer list. (more…)

The professionals can do a lot with their take on search engine optimization strategy, but I’m not writing to them.  This is for the person with limited website design expertise and who does the website design and internet marketing for their own home based internet business.  There are many other ways to optimize you website for success, but here are some simple, basic things to think about.

1.  Determine your key words and phrases.  This is going to require a little research, and will be driven to some extent by the subject matter of your website and the products and services offered by your home business.  In order to stand out from the crowd, you might want to think more in terms of key phrases rather than key words.  Ask yourself the question: What would I type in if I were searching for a website related to MY website or home business? (more…)