subject: Search Engine Optimization - What You're Probably Doing Wrong [print this page] Have you noticed that you've gained absolutely no visitors to your site? You may not know why, but there is likely to be a clear reason. The number one reason why people do not gain website traffic is because they use the wrong keywords. Another common reason is because they fail to market their website.
If you think you've been doing all you can do to get the traffic needed to get your products sold and gain exposure, you're wrong. There is so much more to search engine optimization than meets the eye. Search engine optimization is the act of strategically placing keywords throughout your site in an attempt to make sure search engines (such as Google) pick up on them when they are searched for.
The worst thing you can do is assume that your website is perfectly fine the way it is. If this is the way you're thinking, then you're way off. No traffic signifies that you've got a problem on your hands. Fortunately, your problem isn't likely to be too big to be fixed. First off, consider the keyword you're using. Is it too competitive? If so, then try to use a less-than-desirable search phrase.
Next, consider how many times you've placed your keyword throughout your site. Does your keyword seem to be placed every couple sentences, or just once every 100 words? If you've placed it in every other sentence then you should rewrite your content. You need to place your keyword phrase once every 100 words for best results. For a small blog consisting of only 200 or 300 words, a placement of three to four times should do just fine. Make sure your keyword is placed evenly throughout your content so that it blends in well.
Another thing to look for is how many different keywords your site contains. Again, it's important not to overdo it. However, you also do not want to not include enough keywords. For more traffic, use at least one keyword phrase (two to three words put together that make sense in the form of a phrase), at least one secondary phrase (a similar keyword placed only two to three times throughout), and at least two or three additional phrases placed twice each throughout your site
Remember, no more than once every 100 words. Additional and secondary phrases and words can be placed once every 200 or 300 words. Always place your main keyword in the title, or at least in the very beginning of the first paragraph as to make it easier for search engines to pick it up. Not placing your keyword correctly will ruin your chances of gaining traffic.
Since technology is always changing, you may need to update your keywords on a regular basis. Updating your keywords and experimenting will also let you know what works the best for your site. Creating new content using the same keywords (assuming you were very successful the first time around) is also acceptable and highly recommended.
You must never stop advertising your website. Search engine optimization is definitely a huge part of obtaining traffic, but it's still only a portion of it. The majority of your success relies on your willingness to advertise and keep an eye on how your keywords are doing. It may seem like a lot of work and a major headache to begin with, but you'll quickly find out that your success ultimately depends on it.
