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[G420]Google Search Optimization Guide

by Upinder Singh Negi3, Upi

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is methods that aid in the improvement of a website's ranking in the listings of search engines. There are different kinds of listings that are displayed in the results pages of search engines, such as paid inclusion, pay-per-click advertisements, and organic search results. Utilizing SEO can increase the quantity of site visitors that acts on the activity that the site intends.

Sites have different goals for search optimization. Some sites search for all kinds of traffic. A SEO strategy that is broad in scope can be advantageous for sites that cover broad interest, such as directories and periodicals. On the other hand, majority of the sites attempt to maximize their pages for a high quantity of very specific keywords that radiate the possibility of a sale. Usually, focusing on well-chosen traffic produces sales leads of desirable quality, and allows advertisers to pull in more business.

The importance of having a high rank for an advertiser's site cannot be emphasized enough. Unfortunately, many site owners believe that their site has a high-ranking, when the truth is exactly the opposite. Others who are aware that they do not possess enough presence in search engines do not know that it is possible to achieve the ranking they want, and that they can get it through means that are a lot easier and more efficient.

So what are the techniques that advertisers must employ to maximize their optimization and garner the site activity and profits that they seek? Here are some of the most useful ones.

1. Title tags should be written in a creative way. It should be created with the strongest keyword targets as the basis. It is the most important tag of a web site when it comes to optimization. The specific keyword of the web site that is being optimized should be the one that is placed in the title tag. It goes without saying that every site should have its own title tag.

2. Carefully select the words and phrases to be assigned to Alt tags. Alt tags are not really mandatory, but they are provided for text browsers because images do not get displayed in web browsers, and it is the Alt tags that give information to the users about its significance. The rule in Alt tags is fairly simple: only key phrases or key words should be put in Alt tags, overdoing may cause a site to disappear in search results or get banned from it indefinitely.

3. Manage keyword density. Keyword density is the percentage occupied by keywords or keyword phrases in a web page. Ideally, keywords are used once in the title tag, the heading tag, and in bold text. Keywords should be placed at the top of the page, and phrases can be inserted in every paragraph, depending on how long the paragraph is.

4. Determine the appropriate page size for the site. Speed is a vital element to the success of a site, and it important to both online visitors and the search engines. It is recommended to limit web pages under 15K.

5. Create rich themes for the pages. Search engines are increasingly getting particular about themes. Content should be created as often as possible, and the pages should be maintained to 200 to 500 words. The content should be created in relation to the market, and should be linked to the other related content present on the site.

6. Make the site's design attractive to the viewer. All efforts in optimization will be in vain if the site is poorly designed and if its contents are hard for viewers to read. There should be more text content than HTML content in the web site. Viewers should be able to use the pages in all major browsers. It should be noted that most search engines veer away from JavaScript and Flash.

7. Stay away from the bad techniques. Utilizing them could get a site blacklisted from the search engines. Spamming is a no-no, and the following techniques are considered spamming: doorway and identical pages, tiny or invisible text, cloaking, usage of keyword phrases in author tags etc.

Advertisers should keep in mind that simplicity is the basis of a successful SEO campaign. Sites should be easy for viewers to locate, follow, and read, and should contain relevant content. Following the techniques above will prove worthwhile for site owners in the future.

Having achieved numerous #1 rankings for a plethora of keywords within a competitive sector (eCommerce), I have been able to identify and understand the variables that positively affect the major search algorithms. That is what this article is all about, letting you in on the most important variables that affect your website from a search optimization standpoint.
Google, Yahoo, and MSN should all be three sources of substantial traffic to your website or your eCommerce store. To not try and execute some sort of SEO optimization attempt is literally missing out on thousands of potential customers that may have interest with your business or your product offering.
The following list outlines ten rules to follow when embarking on your SEO journey. Enough talk - lets get to work!
When just starting in SEO - Target words that are attainable and precise
Of course every business wants to be ranked #1 for the top 3 highest trafficked keywords, but in most cases it is the secondary tier of terms that can deliver your best profits. This rule becomes even more true if you are just starting your SEO execution and have a limited # of existing links that are inbound. By starting out optimizing for the 2nd tier of keywords, your success chances are raised and your speed to first page rank increases dramatically.
Understand the concept of keyword density and make sure your terms are in the right percentage range
Keyword density is the percentage of total words within the body of a page that is the keyword that you are targeting. For example, lets suppose your were a fishing products retailer trying to optimize your homepage for the terms "fishing supplies". Within the page, the term "fishing supplies" should represent between 5-10% of the total text. Go more than ten percent through un-natural writing and your page may be flagged as spam. Go less than 5% and your density may not be high enough. 5-10% has proven to be the "sweet spot" in today's search algorithm regarding keyword density.

Leverage "viral" marketing for your link building
One way links are more valuable than reciprocal links. Because of "link farms", the major engines have reconstructed their algorithms to place a higher value on one way links. Outside of buying these links which is also considered black hat tactics by Google engineers, the most effective way is to syndicate original content on via the internet to other content hungry webmasters. By crafting original articles that include your business URL, and by manually submitting these articles to content networks/article directories on the internet, when these articles are shown live by other sites you have a natural "one way" credit link for the content. These one way links make you seen as more of an authority within the engines and hence drive up your natural rankings.
Go after 2-3 primary keywords per page, no more and no less
Each page should focus on ranking well for two, maybe three keywords per page. By targeting tags and content towards a more specific keyword focus, success chances are increased and the content can be focused towards the keywords. Optimizing a page for 5+ terms is a waste of time and will just lead to poor rankings for the attempted terms.
Tighten up your title tags
Title tags are the single biggest ?on page? component to the major search engine algorithms. It is crucial that your tag be only the two to three keyword phrases that you are targeting within the webpage and that the keywords are replicated within additional tags and within the body of the text. Avoid commas within title tags and stick to a format that has worked tremendously for many retailers and brands. Use the ?|? key on your keyboard as it is a natural looking phrase separator that is easier to index than a title with commas. Take a look at the example below:
Title 1: Fishing Supplies, Tackle, Rods
Title 2: Fishing Supplies | Fishing Tackle | Fishing Rods
The second example is a more effective written title tag that will rank better within the engines. It is more specific to a user, easier to index, and repeats the keyword ?fishing? which is extremely pertinent to the theme of the page.
Include core keyword in the url if possible
Including a targeted keyword within a url string has become a vital practice of SEO as of late, especially within eCommerce where businesses are targeting to increase rankings of unique product pages for researching shoppers online. Most sites in the eCommerce sector however are dynamic, and generate URL's that include characters such as ??? or a ?&? that tend to limit crawling by web spiders.

A better practice is to implement a module within your platform that automatically generates static URL's (ie. an ?.htm? URL string) that includes your most profitable keyword. Look below for an example:
Old URL: www.yourcompany.com/category/641?product-632.aspx
New URL: www.yourcompany.com/category/dvd/sony-dvd-recorder-63754.htm
Notice the .htm at the end of the string and the mention of the product within the URL. By executing both your site will be more deeply crawled and more properly indexed.
Understand "anchor text" and why it is so critical
Anchor text is the text of your links on external site. For instance, using Trinity as the example, the link eCommerce Consulting on a link partner site will take a web surfer to http://www.trinityinsight.com. ?eCommerce Consulting? is considered the anchor text for that link. It is crucial that within content syndication and organic link building your business make sure that you're most vital and targeted keywords are represented within the anchor text that points to your website.
Make these changes and continue to add great original content to your site and see your rise in the search engines happen. More than anything you need patience as it does not happen overnight. Be prepared to wait at least 6 months to see any immediate impact, especially if you have just been recently indexed.

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Both Upinder Singh Negi3 & Craig Smith- are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Upinder Singh Negi3 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Vitamins, Online Business and Internet Marketing. please browse for more information at our website:-. Upinder Singh Negi3's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Craig Smith- has sinced written about articles on various topics from . About Author :Craig is the founder of Trinity Insight LLC, . Craig Smith-'s top article . to your Favourites.