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Seo Optimization Ain't Sexy
SEO Optimization Ain't Sexy
SEO Optimization Ain't SexyDon't listen to anyone that tells you differently; search engine optimization (SEO) is a process, and there are specific steps that need to be taken, in order, and to completion.
If you've done any search engine optimization on your own sites in the past, or are doing SEO currently, then you have heard of all 6 of these steps, and probably even attempted one or more of them.
The problem, in my opinion, is that they are not "sexy"enough for most folks.
--They don't have SEO reality shows.
--They don't write songs and dance about SEO.
--They don't get hot, sexy women, or men, as spokespeople.
--And Oprah sure isn't talking about search engine optimization (SEO), now is she?
So this fact alone, could account for the vast majority of reasons why, as site owners, we tend to lose our interest and focus, when it comes to our sites SEO and the following 7 steps.
SEO Step #1: Keywords. Keywords are the absolute, must-have, must-know foundation of any search engine optimization process. This set of words and/or phrases are the blueprint from which all of your SEO will build from, and build on, for the long-term.
What you need is what I call a "Keyword Pyramid". You build a pyramid, starting at the top, of your sites main keywords with your highest level being at the very top, then your second level keywords below that, and so on.
Once you've completed your keyword pyramid, flip it upside down. Yes, just turn it upside down so that your lowest level keywords are now on the line straight across the top. And this, is where you begin your search engine optimization.
SEO Step #2: Domain Name. Select a domain name that has your highest level keyword or keyphrase within it. It is best to be at the very beginning, but not critical. It is best to keep your domain name short, avoiding hyphens if possible, and always consider a .com first.
Some will argue that the length of your domain registration (1 yr., vs. 5 yrs.) is SEO friendly. It may in fact be one small factor in the monster algorithms Google uses, but it is not a critical one.
However, the "age" of your domain in terms of being up, live and active, IS an SEO factor, and will help more than the registration age.
SEO Step #3: Hosting. Free hosting is an absolute MUST NOT, and a reliable, commercial grade hosting company that has a solid reputation within the hosting community is a MUST HAVE. You can be "rewarded" for your association with the right hosting companies, and "penalized", by association, for being with the wrong hosting companies.
Additionally, avoid the template based hosting companies and packages at all costs. The ones where you build your site within their content management system (CMS) and use their templates, etc. These are a nightmare when it comes to not only SEO, but administration, management and flexibility.
SEO Step #4: Content. This is a big piece of what should be your SEO process, and is commonly referred to as "on site optimization". Within the content step there are many sub-steps that include critical search engines optimization (SEO) elements. Elements such as Title, Meta Tags, Header Tags, Content format and keyword density, tags, excerpts, and the list goes on.
It is extremely important to your SEO process, and the results, that you optimize your content properly, to maximize every optimization opportunity available and feed the search engines, spiders and crawlers the best SEO meal they can get.
SEO Step #5: Submissions. Once you have your SEO elements in place, it's time to submit your site and your optimized URL's to the appropriate places. Knowing WHO to submit to, and WHAT to submit is key. Throwing yourself against the wall and hoping that an arm or a leg or an ear sticks, is just not a smart, nor an effective approach.
You want to play only with the serious web2.0 properties that will yield you the most return for your investment, whether it be your time or your dollars.
Types of submissions will differ. You will want to ensure that you have a nice broad stroke across all the major marketing channels, in order to balance your SEO effectively, and capture a broader market base. Again, this doesn't relate to volume as much as it relates to the quality of your broad stroke.
SEO Step #6: Tracking. Oh yes, perhaps one of the most forgotten steps of the SEO process, yet in my humble opinion, one of the most rewarding.
You must know what you need to track, how to track it, and then do it. Without this step, you have no way of knowing if what you're doing is working, or if something you're doing is working great, versus what might not be working so well. If you know what is working, you can increase those efforts, while trying to adjust the not so well working elements. Besides, don't you want to see with your own eyes the fruits of all your SEO labors!?
So there you have the "not so sexy" 6 main steps to an effective, long-term search engine optimization (SEO) process.
Taking each of these steps, in order, and optimizing them to completion, before moving forward, is the only way you will reach the long-term search engine optimization (SEO) finish line. Follow these steps, and implement them diligently, and you will be competing in the "big leagues" within your niche, over time, for the long-term.
Avoid any of them, or take shortcuts, and you will be wasting time and money, while the search engine optimization (SEO) results you are seeking become even more elusive than ever.
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If you'd like to take these 6 SEO steps and your search engine optimization (SEO) process to the next level, visit SEOTimeSavers and learn more about the SEO "No Bullshit" Club.
by: Katie Palmer