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4 Basics of Search Engine Placement

A "top 10" ranking in the major search engines can send hundreds of people to your website each day. If you can control several of these "top 10" rankings, you can enjoy having thousands of qualified prospects visiting your website. By employing proven search engine placement strategies, you can help push your most important web pages to the top positions on Google and Yahoo! In this quick tutorial, you'll discover the steps you'll need to take to gain those coveted rankings.

#1 - Target Your Keywords

The keywords that people use when they look for information on the search engines are a goldmine. They're critical for good search engine placement. If your website appears in a top position after their search, there's a high likelihood that they'll click through to your site. However, you need to target the right keywords. That means knowing which keywords are most important to your goals. For example, assume your website sells shoes. While ranking highly for "shoes" will bring people to your website, ranking well for "buy running shoes" will deliver qualified leads. Identifying the right keywords is one of the most important factors in effective search engine placement.

#2 - On-Page Search Engine Optimization

Once you've identified your most important keywords, you'll need to use them wisely throughout your web pages. You should place them in your HTML title tags as well as in heading tags. Plus, your keywords should be sprinkled throughout the content of your web pages, appearing naturally so your visitors find it compelling. These are referred to as "on page" factors of search engine placement. If you're unfamiliar with HTML, you may want to consider working with a search engine optimization specialist.

#3 - Off-Page Search Engine Optimization

As the search engines have evolved, the algorithms they use to determine how web pages rank in their listings have also evolved. Google has increasingly depended upon what others say about your website to determine your site's relevancy to searchers. It does so largely through inbound links to your site. Having inbound links that direct people to your website (or a particular page) is most effective if those links have relevant anchor text. Using our previous example, links that are labeled "running shoes" helps Google to identify your site's purpose. When people search for "running shoes," Google is more likely to position your site highly. Relevant inbound links play a key role in search engine placement.

#4 - Create Compelling Content

One of the most overlooked search engine placement strategies is to create content that your visitors will find compelling. There are a few reasons why this is important. First, compelling content attracts inbound links when other website owners discover it. This can create a snowball effect as Google becomes aware of an increasing number of links pointing to your site. Content can also captivate your audience. Often, that means they'll stay on your website longer, giving you the opportunity to forge a relationship and move them to a purchase.

Should You Work Alone?

The 4 basics of search engine placement that are mentioned above can be accomplished by anyone. It merely requires time and expertise. Researching your best keywords, placing them throughout your website's pages, building inbound links and writing content that captivates your audience and compels them to take action is time-intensive work.

Many people choose to partner with a search engine optimization specialist who already has the necessary expertise. If you choose to walk that path alone, plan to set aside an enormous amount of time. That being said, the time you'll spend is an investment. High search engine rankings can help build your business more quickly than you may realize.



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