Search Engine Optimization SEO

Successful site optimization is now a continuous and ongoing process of providing useful and relevant content and resources to your visitors. Good (enduring) search engine optimization involves three basic processes:

1. Design: Clean, Clear & Intuitive

2. Content: Relevant, Fresh & Consistent

3. Promotion: Pertinent, Diverse & Creative

Clean, Clear & Intuitive Design -

Use NO frames - EVER!
Use intuitive, text-based navigation: No image maps No javascript menus, No Flash navigation
Provide alternative HTML pages for dynamic conten,t, provide "Search Engine Friendly URLs" or list all dynamic URLs in your sitemap.
Configure Meta-Tags correctly (Keywords, Description, Robots, etc.)
Limit Meta-Tag keyword repetition
Create unique and relevant "Title" tags for each page
Include descriptive "Alt tags" for contextual images
Create and configure "robots.txt" file
Create a full XML Sitemap: SiteMapDoc.com, XML Sitemaps or SitemapsPal
Register site map with Google
Register site map with "Ask" using the following syntax:
http://submissions.ask.com/ping?sitemap=http://www.YourWebSite.com/sitemap.xml
Create a robots.txt file with the following directive: SITEMAP: http://www.the URL of your sitemap here.xml
Create and register "urllist.txt" file for Yahoo robot

Relevant, Fresh & Consistent Content -

Carefully describe or define, in detail, your services and/or mission
Research pertinent and relevant keywords using an online "Keyword Discovery" tool such as Keyword Discovery.
Research specific keyword phrases that are directly relevant to your services & mission using Google's keyword tool.
Place a strong emphasis on relevant textual content throughout your site
Be sure your landing pages contain specific measurable offers.
Update content frequently (via a Content Management System - CMS)
Write original articles or news posts and post to web site using Blog or CMS software
Embed relevant RSS feeds where appropriate (like the "Search Engine News" section below)
Include relevant reciprocal links (Don't use bogus link exchange services)
Careful keyword distribution, density and proximity: Place keyword phrases within "Heading tags." Use keywords and keyword phrases in textual Hyperlinks. Use keywords and keyword phrases in actual URLs. Use keywords in first and last paragraphs of text

3. Pertinent, Diverse & Creative Promotion -

Manually submit web site to all major search engines: Google Yahoo MSN
Use a free submission service for secondary search engines PromotionWorld.com ISEDN
If you have a physical location (or even just a mailing address), make sure you are included in Google's "Local Maps". Google also offers a free "Coupon" feature that you may display in conjunction with your local map to draw more attention to your listing.
Add your site to "Local Classified" ad sites: Backpage Lycos Classifieds
Add your "local location" to the MSN network powered by localeze.
Link Popularity (or inbound links) is now considered to be the most important factor for determining search engine rankings on the major search engines (Google, Yahoo and MSN). This quote comes directly from Google's Webmaster Help Center: "In general, webmasters can improve the rank of their sites by increasing the number of high-quality sites that link to their pages." Seek out relevant linking partners:
- Industry associations
- Service directories
Submit original articles to industry publications (online and offline)
- Original Content Distribution - Write articles about your industry, give away free resources (how-to guides, eBooks, newsletter subscriptions, etc). By doing this, you can end up with a significant amount of useful content on the web that other sites will link to and that will include a link back to your own.
- Syndicate articles on web site via RSS feeds
- Participate in relevant online discussions:Answer questions from other users in discussion forum. Submit insightful content/comments to industry blogs
- Develop eNewsletter campaign for opt-in subscribers
- Consider pay-per-click campaigns (e.g., Google AdWords & Yahoo Search Marketing)
- Consider advertising on industry related web sites