subject: Search Engine Optimization Tips for Beginners [print this page] Use Google AdWords tool to find the popular words related to your website
Google's Search based Keyword Tool quantifies the popularity of the keyword phrases both in the term of search volumes as well as suggested bid prices to buy those keywords. Before you start setting up your keywords, look for the keywords and phrases internet users are using in the search engine for the content like yours. Use the tool to identify the keyword or phrases for you would use in the title or in the homepage.
Use keywords and phrases in the HTML title
The search engine gives the title tags maximum weight age, so the most appropriate keyword should be put there. If you are using content management system, utilize it to determine which input field will populate the title.
Use keys in the URLs
Search engine gives importance to URLs also, try and have the keyword in the domain name. Instead of using numbers or unnecessary text in the URL, utilize a CMS which uses the real words, ideally the keywords which the internet user would be doing the search.
Avoid using the same article under 2 or more URLs
Duplicating content usually kills the position in the search engine result pages (SERPs). If you need to point to some article in another URL, you can give the reference through multiple tags but they should be all pointed towards the same URL. Google's decision of ranking the page is quite determined by the number and the quality of links to that individual page.
Never change the page or retire it without the 301 redirect
When the search engine requests a URL that doesn't exit, it gets a multiple response from the Web Server. When you are retiring or changing the page, provide a 301 redirect. It guides the search engine which new URL to transfer the old URLs SERPs ranking.
Switch from AP style to SEO style on references in the body
Keyword repetition and the quantity play a major role in the page ranking. Instead of using the rigid AP style, move to a more friendly SEO style, use full names to the references to some extent, though not much.
Write an interesting meta description tag for each page
Google uses the tag description to create the short blurb that it displays under the title pages description on each SERPs. An engaging description would gain the attention of the user more quickly, better than the one that might be ranked above then your page
