If you’ve ever wondered why some websites rank better than others when you do a search, then you’re in the right place to discover handy tips about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
1. What is SEO and how does it work?
Google, Bing and Yahoo have algorithm spiders which are constantly trawling the internet for new and updated pages. These spiders spot your content and in turn, place you in a relevant ranking on the search results page. SEO ensures your website is as search engine friendly as possible. Google is by far the most popular search engine and it’s recent updates mean SEO practises have changed.
2. Keyword, keyword, keyword
This is the most crucial part of SEO. You need plenty of relevant keywords throughout your webpages for them to work their magic. Place your keywords or phrases in the page titles, headers, sub-headings and paragraph content. Focus on no more than a few phrases per page. Your home page is the most important so pick your main phrases for this page.
Although, search engines can’t read graphics, Java Script or Flash – it’s all about text. If your website looks great in terms of design, you may not want to strip out all those wonderful images. A way around this is to attach keyworded text using the Alt attribute tag on graphics, movies and links. Also think about the file names i.e. rather than image-1.jpg try main-phrase.jpg.
3. Finding the best keywords
Use the right keywords and your website will shoot to the top, but fill your website with the wrong ones and your SEO efforts will be pointless.
To find out which keywords work – take an educated guess. You know your industry. What do you think people will search for? Try it yourself and see whose websites come up first.
Or, use a keyword tool.
Word Tracker
This will help you generate thousands of relevant keywords, find niche markets and exploit them before your competitors do.
Google AdWords Keyword Tool
Use this free Google tool to see how many people are searching for each keywords phrase and generate related keywords suggestions.
4. Content is King
The more content your site has, the higher chance it’ll return as a search result. But these days, the search engine spiders are advanced enough to differentiate between high-quality content and shallow, thin content so keep your content rich, precise and up to date.
5. Use social media
Get your brand out there! If you don’t have a Facebook page, Twitter account or Linked In profile, stop right now and go and get your brand name on all of them.
6. Additional input
Links, blogs and external input all help to push your website to the top of the list. Share on Digg, Reddit and Pinterest, distribute press releases and get recording. Or use videos already out there. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, so don’t miss out on utilising this.
7. Get the professionals in
SEO can be rather complicated and time consuming, and if you have more pressing responsibilities, why not get some expert help.
Ensuring your copy is unique, catchy and targeted specifically to your customers; British Design Experts can help with creative copywriting and expert advice on optimising your website. So call us on 01256 845815 or email [email protected]
