subject: Stop Wasting Your Time With Playing Guessing Games [print this page] Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Optimization can be tricky. Many "rules" are just assumptions that marketers make after particular efforts have succeeded or failed. Nobody but Google's engineers knows their search algorithm. However, there is a gold mine of information straight from Google that can help you optimize your efforts by doing the things they suggest. I don't know about you, but I strictly follow the suggestions made by the company with 81% of the market share for searches performed on the internet.
Google's Webmaster Central can be very helpful when finding ways to beef up your website and improve your search rankings. It gives detailed suggestions about how to improve your website, its content, your meta information and just about anything else you may not already be doing for yourself. Their content suggestions are great not just for search engine optimization (improving search results) but also for creating a stronger personal brand. It offers general suggestions such as:
List your business on Google Places
Embed a Google Map of your business on your about page
Include your physical address in your contact information on your website
Aside from embedding a Google Map, make sure your about page is stellar and full of great information about your companyIf you conduct ecommerce, be sure to submit your product catalog to Google Product Search
There are many more suggestions but these are just to give you an idea of what an amazing resource this can be. For their extensive content suggestions and other great suggestions they have available to you visit the webmaster tools home page and find a great directory of detailed information there. It is important to keep in mind that not all of the suggestions are pertinent to your company. If you company is not a brick and mortar business perhaps including a Google Map of your business is not the best use of time. There are other tips such as listing as much easy to read, relevant information about your company on your about page that every business should do. They should also make sure that none of the text on their website is an image. This should all be html. Photoshop is great for photos and graphics. Not for text. Browse through Google's suggestions, find the ones that benefit your company the most and keep it up. If you find something new that helps to improve your search rankings remember to share it!
