|
Feb
04
|
Yahoo, Google, MSN etc., any search engine can easily help you find websites, the difficult part is knowing where to begin so that your website is looked up through these search engines as well. Maybe a few tips could help set you off. Existing websites/domains should not be abandoned for new one while redesigning. Do not try to redirect the old domain to the new one either. The longer the domain is around, the better their preference by the search engines. If you choose a new domain, be prepared to loose a bit of traffic for maybe weeks, months or more.
When looking at optimization of your site, the base should be your target audience and not the search engine. Anyone who types in keywords in the search engine search box is your target audience. If you are unsure of your target audience, then look for demographic info online, visit forums, sites and communities where they hang out. Listen to their conversations and use this information for your copywritting and research of keywords.
Tools like Wordtracker or Google’s Keyword Tool can be used to research in finding the optimal phrases. Keywords like ‘hotel’ or ‘vacation’ are general and do not indicate what your site is all about. Don’t use these kind of words. Navigation and architecture on your site should have various categories of keyword research. For instance, imagine you sold toys, the site visitors should be able to look up your products and services by specific age (toys for a 2 year old), by various types of toys (preschool, soft toys), material (wooden toys / battery operated toys)etc. The key to your keywords is categorization.
Search engines cannot search your site or fill out forms or menus and javascript links make sure to have HTML links on the main navigation of all pages, linking to the sites top level pages and from there linking them to individual products and services pages. Do not add links like ‘click here’ on the portion that is click-able. Site visitors should not be kept guessing of what they will find if they ‘click’. Describe with very graphic links and text.
Alt attributes and anchor texts must describe everything about the page by using main phrase keywords. Fill the copy with keyword rich phrases but also make sure that the site visitor is able to connect emotionally. Title tags are another thing that search engines place a lot of weight on. The Title tag must include keyword phrases from the copy. In the search engine, this information will be seen in your site’s click-able link. This should combine keyword phrases that are used for search and an accurate reflection of the contents on the page.
Successful optimization campaigns on search engines are dependent on linking of other sites to yours. High quality, useful information must be provided by you. No site will want to associate with you if you don’t do this. When you trade links make sure not to link your site with lousy ones. Concentrate on increasing traffic, conversion and sales on your site instead of rankings. You can add new content, if you think this will improve your site’s usefulness. Do not add irrelevant information for fluff.
I have found that free classified ads can be a great tool for increasing traffic with website SEO and marketing products and services online. Classifieds and ads are the future of listing products online.
