by Joseph Janowski

The ability to dominate the search results can make or break a business on the internet. Most of the traffic on the web passes through a search engine before it goes anywhere. Can you afford to miss out on this traffic? There are a few tips to remember when getting in to Search Engine Optimization. The factors that affect a search engines ranking are almost endless, but we have listed the top 10 things you need to know before beginning an SEO campaign below.

1. Perform Keyword Research – The first step is to ensure that you know exactly what search terms and phrases you want to rank for. This step if often overlooked as people assume that they understand the business without realizing that people do not always search in the same manner that they speak and that many times people are uneducated in the subject and would not search the same way that a professional within the field would search. There is often a discrepancy between an industries buzzwords and the most popular search terms.

2. Create Fresh and Unique Content – A web pages text content is the most important piece of a page. If you do not use your keywords within your text, or if you only write a sentence or two on your page then a search engine cannot properly gauge what your page is about and therefore will not return your page within its results. Search engines also like new and fresh content, consider using a blog to allow you to create content on your subject that is interesting and informative to your viewers.

3. Build Back Links – Links work much like a real life referral. If you page is informative enough to naturally gain a ton of links then most major search engines view this as an obvious plus and this is reflected in their rankings. Gaining links can be the toughest part of the Search Engine Optimization process. The best way to gain links is to create content that is interesting enough to naturally attract linkers. Other link strategies ideas include contacting related websites and listing your website on related areas around the web.

4. Create Unique Page Titles & Meta Tags – Search engine specific meta tags such as the page title and description tag may not be as important as they once were but it is still an important step. Your page title and description tag show up within the search results and although the description tag is no longer used for it’s keyword value, it is still your sales pitch to a searcher that will determine whether or not they click your link. Your page title is the first thing that a search engine reads and should contain your main keywords. Make sure that each page on your website has a unique page title and description tag.

5. Market Content with Social Media – Use social networking websites to promote the content of your website. Social media marketing is a business in itself, but understanding that the internets most popular websites should be taken advantage of is the key. Most people spend the majority of their internet time surfing social networking sites, it is crucial that you direct some of this traffic to your website.

6. Submit to Directories – There are tons of directories on the internet that will allow you to submit your website to a relevant category. Directories help to build links and create some extra visibility for your website.

7. Employ a Writer – Since your pages contents are of the most importance, consider hiring someone to create your content. Many people do not have the time or the skills to continuously keep creating fresh and relevant content for search engines. Hiring a writer will do wonders for your website and its rankings. Many writers these days have basic SEO knowledge and will be able to create keyword rich content that will boost your rankings better than any other technique possible.

8. Design Your Website According to Standards – Ensure that there are no broken links or outdated design elements used in the coding of your website. If you are not well versed in CSS and HTML then consider using a Content Management System to create the content of your website. Most will create search engine friendly code and will provide you with an easy way to create new content.

9. Use Third Party Tools Search – Engine Optimization tools and websites to help you out with the major aspects of SEO are available in abundance. Be sure to test out a few as some are better than others and you generally get what you pay for. Most free websites and applications provide the service in their own interest and not necessarily in the interest of the user. That being said, you can get the information you’re seeking much of the time. Use tools to help with keyword research, rank tracking, building links, and gathering statistics.

10. Track Statistics - People love to see numbers, charts, and graphs. Prove to your clients, your boss, or your business partner that the time and money they are spending on SEO is worth it. There are many different statistic tracking tools and websites. The most commonly used is Google Analytics and it is a good place to start for any webmaster that is interested in the search engine rankings of their website.

The above 10 tips will help beginners get in to the Search Engine Optimization of a website and with some practice will be the base for a successful campaign. SEO is a process and it does take time to see return on investment, whether that be time or money. Search Engines do not automatically respond to the changes made as they take some time to digest changes and additions to a website to ensure that everything is what it appears to be. Consider following industry leading blogs and forums to keep up to date on the latest developments within the field.