Search Engine Optimization plays a vital role in marketing your website; by making it visible in search engines particularly in Google, Yahoo and Bing. Almost 80% of online users prefer to use search engines when browsing, searching and even purchasing online products or services. SEO has two essential parts, the On-Page Optimization and Off-Page Optimization.
On-Page Optimization (inside) is simply the things that should do in creating a website. It pertains to the coding part (Title, Meta Description, Meta Keywords, Content, Alt Tags, H1, URL structure, Keyword density, site maps, Bold/Italic etc.) and structure of building (navigation, Content structure, Internal links strategy, etc.) a site. Ignoring this, your website will generate no-traffic.
On the other hand, Off-Page Optimization (outside) is simply doing things outside the website like creating quality links, participating in Social Media Sites (e.g. Facebook, Google +, Pinterest, Twitter etc. ), Forum participation, Blogging, Article Submission, Directory and Bookmarking Submission, etc. The most important strategy for off page optimization is getting links from other websites and linking to the page within your own Website that will turn into a doorway page or portal. By doing this in a SEO manner, you’re website will be visible in search engines in no time (3-6 months, depending on the numbers of competitors). These two areas are the keys to make your website dominate search engines and convert traffic to money.
If you have already a website or planning
to create a new one, SEO should not take for granted. Below are my top 4 pointers that should
follow when creating a website.
1. Domain Name
Choosing domain is the first thing that
should perpetuate. There are two primary factors when choosing a domain that
will affect your future SEO effort and search ranking. In opting domain name,
avoid using hyphenated one (search-engine-specialist-in-the-philippines.com),
this is an old fashioned way and has no SEO value.
- Domain URL
- Branding
If you have already an established company
and do not have a website, I strongly suggest that you choose as your domain
name is your company name. With this,
people can easily remember you.
Visit this link for more information:
“Remember
that your domain is just the start of building a brand – an essential step, but
only the first step.”
2. Keyword Research
Keyword research is one of the most
important parts in making your website visible in search engine. Keyword
research is a significant feature of your SEO campaign. If your website is
marking the incorrect keywords, the SERP and potential customers may never
locate you that may result of losing bucks and worthless rankings.
3. HTML Meta Tags
When we say Meta Tags, it is an HTML tags
which are located in the heading <HEAD> of a website. These HTML tags give search engines a
metadata that will aid the best search experience for the user. In addition,
these are key terms that search engines use to rank & find your site. This
small piece of text can be considered as a selling snippet, if search engine
sees it appealing, there’s no doubt that your website will be visible in SERP.
a. Meta Keyword
Syntax:<meta name="keywords"
content="priority keywords"/>
After conducting an intensive and careful
keyword research, these keywords should be analyze and determine the priority
and relevant keywords that will be included in the “meta keyword”. Do not
overdo or put all your keywords in the “meta keyword”, because it will lead you
to be penalized.
b.
Meta Description
Syntax:<meta
name="description" content="website’s brief description"/>
Meta Description is between 130 and 150
characters that tell an accurate and concise description of what the website is
about. You can include on the areas and services that your business is
specialized in. You can also add your toll free number
inside your description. If the users have installed Skype software in their
computer, he can immediately call your website directly not going to click your
website any more.
c.
Title Tag
Syntax:
<title>Website’s Title</title>
This is the text you see at the top of your
browser. Many SEOs ignore this. This
element is the first thing that search engine’s spiders indexed. A title tag should be short but descriptive
enough for your visitors to identify you and your business. Avoid using redundant words inside the Title
Tag because search engine might consider you are spoofing.
d.
Other Meta Tags
·
Bold
·
Italic
·
H1
·
Quote
4. Image Optimization
Online users also prefer to use the Google
Image Search when searching. If your
website has many images, you should optimize it. Image optimization can also
generate tons of bucks.
a. alt
attribute
Syntax: <img
src="image-url.jpg" alt="description/title" />
Yes, search engines cannot read image.
That’s why we need to put some tags or attributes when optimizing image. Alt
Attribute is now in action. It gives a short description of the image. It provides keyword relevance to search, and
helps rank your images on search result pages (SERP).
b. Image
File Name
Also, make sure to name each image relevant
to your keyword. Be descriptive. Avoid naming an image like this 1.jpg, a.jpg,
etc.
c. Image
File Size
Page loading really matters. If your website has tons of images to load
and the file sizes are heavy, there’s a tendency that your website will be slow
in loading. Users do not like this kind of website because their time is
precious when searching. To address this problem, make sure your file image
is small without sacrificing its quality.
