Strategies for Optimizing Your Website and Achieving Number One Rankings
by Michael Fleischner
The best thing about Search Engine Optimization is that its largely free. I wouldnt profess that the cost is zero simply because it takes a lot of time to do correctly and time is money. Search Engine Optimization is the development of website rankings for online search engines and keyword search terms. To properly implement a SEO strategy, there are four stages to help manipulate search engine result listings for specific keyword phrases.
Make sure to start your search engine optimization efforts with keyword research. Many SEO experts don’t spend a lot of time on keyword selection but it is by far the most important aspect of SEO. The reason is that when you optimize for the wrong keyword means a lot of wasted effort resulting in little or no traffic. You want to find a keyword or keyword phrase that is relevant to your audience, has a high search volume, and very little competition. As you might have already figured out, finding the right keyword can be a real challenge. Start with effective keyword research and your SEO efforts will be successful.
Before choosing a keyword for search engine optimization purposes, size up your competition. Look at the number one ranked website and learn more about them. Consider the websites age, Page Rank, and number of in-bound links. This can give you a good understanding of how strong a competitor that site is.
You can also learn more about a topped ranked website by researching it via Alexa.com for additional ranking information. Shoot for keyword phrases that have less than 2 million competing pages, less than PR 6, and less than 500 in-bound links. If the top competing websites are too large, you should pick a different keyword phrase to focus on.
Upon deciding which keyword phrase is ideal for your search engine optimization campaign, the next step is to design your site in a way that is both easy to read and highly accessible by all search engines. Consider breaking up your search engine optimization campaign into on page optimization factors and off page optimization factors. By addressing both, you can quickly influence rankings in a positive way. Consider starting with site design that integrates SEO best practices including meta tags, headers, and typeface. Once complete, turn your attention towards building links to your web site.
By far the most important factor in Google rankings is a combination of Google page rank and the number of web sites that are linking to your own website. Referred to as inbound links, Google evaluates their authority and rewards your site with higher listings on search results. You are always better off receiving links from web sites that are established and popular than new sites that have neither a strong web presence or inbound links. When link building be certain that link text includes your keywords.
As you focus on SEO your chances of improving rankings increases twofold. Search engine optimization is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on performance based advertising like Google Adwords. Instead of spending cash, spend time and energy on improving organic rankings. Pay attention to on page optimization factors and start researching and contacting other sites for link building. This will enhance website value and improve rankings.