Summer is the peak racing season, and no doubt your company is devising its own strategies for getting ahead of the pack. Are you winning the search engine race? If not, I’ll show you a few quick search engine optimization (SEO) strategies that will move your company’s website to the top of the search engine results.
First, you must understand the basics of how search engines and directories like Yahoo! and Google rank websites. Although no one but the folks at Google and Yahoo! truly know the exact algorithms used to rank websites, ranking is generally based on two main factors:
1) The popularity of your web site in relation to other websites on the Web. In other words, the more people visit your website or are linked to your website, compared to others in this same category, the higher your website will rank. Some good strategies include asking a few partners who sell to a similar audience to add a link to your website from their website. Another way to increase the popularity of your site is to list your website in online product or service directories for your industry. A third way is to conduct public relations campaigns (writing press releases or articles) and submitting them to online media. If you list your website address in these press releases or articles, you’ll receive an instant link back to your website from any resulting coverage.
2) The relevance of your website content for a specific keyword search term or phrase. For example, if your company is a tool manufacturer, you need to include valuable content throughout your website about tool manufacturing in order to rank higher under that search term. If you only sell to individuals living in Sioux City, Iowa, then tailor your content and include the words ‘Sioux City, Iowa’ within your site. A word of caution: Don’t simply repeat your keywords over and over on your site (because search engines have caught on to this tactic and may penalize you). Instead, add informative articles about your topic. Devote an entire page of your website to each particular keyword phrase you wish to optimize for the search engines.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is as much an art as it is a science. Although there are too many strategies for me to mention in this article, you should begin by researching and building a list of keywords that you believe people would type in a web search to find your product or service. Then think about ways that you can incorporate these keyword phrases throughout your website. If you need any assistance, I’d be happy to provide you with some SEO guidance.
The key to winning the search engine race is to research, optimize, optimize again, and then have patience. Remember that the results may take some time, but they are definitely well worth the investment.
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