Search engine optimization [SEO] is a little scary for the new web site owner however, for the small business owner do it yourself search engine optimization can be done and should not cost you thousands a month to accomplish. In fact, I would recommend do it yourself search engine optimization for small businesses and individuals over larger companies which may have very complex online issues which may require a whole team of SEO experts to fix. On smaller websites, search engine optimization projects should be much more manageable and thus, very business owner friendly.

The nexus of search engine optimization are keywords. Meaning, if a searching individual looks for "website traffic" or "website traffic generation" and you want to rank high for those terms, your website's content should reflect these terms and terms related to this type of content. Systemic content is a good way to help build relevant content copy around your primary keywords. Systemic content is website content which directly relates to specific keywords and helps to provide good content and related subject content to your primary keywords.

The better your website content, keyword density, and relevancy to your subject matter, the better your natural website rank will become and your website visitors will repay you with repeat visits.

Before laying out my  top search engine optimization best practices, keep in mind that your website should always be about well written content. All of your web site's content should be written for your intended audience and it should be thorough and compelling. If you write good web site copy [content] visitors will find you and the search engines will follow. 

It may take as long as three months for your website to become indexed by the search engines. Patience is a good thing to have as you begin your search engine optimization process. This is another good reason to be very careful when hiring a SEO firm or SEO expert who promises top ranking in a very short period of time. "Black hat search engine optimization" website practices can get your site a lower ranking and in some cases get your web site banned until the issues are fixed.
 
I recommend search engine optimization and pay per click advertising if you plan on marketing your website. The opportunity to reach a prospective visitor, website sale, or qualified website lead increases considerably if your site can be found in the natural search results and atop the paid search results. According to a recent study, the opportunity to attract a new visitor increases by 90% when a web site is located in the natural listings and pay per click listings.

If you are looking to bypass the do it yourself search engine optimization, Searchology 101 offers very affordable search engine optimization services. Give us a call, read on, then call, or read on, and email or simply visit tons and and use the tools below to bookmark us. You can visit the Searchology blog for some hot commentary as well. Now, your SEO best practices by Searchology 101.

Below are some free search engine optimization best practices for you to incorporate into your website SEO work. As always, feel free to contact us with any of your search engine optimization questions.

Search Engine Optimization Best Practices by Searchology 101

• Write good content for your website visitors and the search engines will follow.
• Do not use flash on your website pages. The search engines do not read flash well and adding flash as an intro to your website or within your website is not a good practice. It may look cool...but the search engines won't think so. Oh, did we mention...DON'T USE FLASH!
• Make sure you add meta tags. Some say that meta tags don't hold much water with the search engines but, adding them to your site won't hurt.
• Website page descriptions should be written to describe each page of your website. All pages will not contain the same content so make sure to write each page description as it pertains to your page.
• Check your web site for broken links. Use this validated for checking website link issues.
• If you have pictures or photos on your web site make sure to change the ALT tags to name the photo so it can be found.
• Your web site should have good structure and hierarchy. Be sure to test your site for good flow and use ability.
• Find good link partners. A good link partner can be worth 1000 bad ones. Find partners who are willing to trade links with you. A good link partner should have some type of content relationship to your own web site. A good link exchange deal should be between you and the other company. Good link building takes time and effort but is well worth it.
• Submit your web site to directory listings. As mentioned earlier, not all links and directory listings are equal. Some have higher rank than others and your web site will be rewarded the higher page rank the link or directory has.
• Do not stuff your website with keywords in hope that it will rank you higher on the search engines. They really don't like that and your web site will suffer and be penalized for it.
• Attach a blog to your web site, white papers or PDFs if they pertain and are relevant to your web site content. This type of 'off page content' is excellent for search engine optimization.
• Search engines like new and updated content. Blogs, online social communities, and forums are excellent for new user content.
• Submit your website to the major search engines and secondary search engines. Many searchologists believe this is not a necessary step, however, it is recommended. Doing so may speed up the time it takes for your website to be indexed by the search engines and be found.
• Add a Google site map to your website. This will help you submit your web site to Google and to many other search engines Google feeds content to.
• If you can, pick a web site name [URL] that pertains to the content of your website. For example, if you sell diamond rings try to get diamond rings.com or diamond-rings.com. If you are unable to get the domain name you want try for a name which is short or very easy to remember.
• Bold and italicize important keywords. Don't over do it.
• Don't make a links page just to increase your website rank. The best thing is to look for other link partners and utilize your website pages for good website content. It is much better to hyper link other sites within your content.
• Use the social networks (Linkedin, Facebook, etc.) to start building your network and credibility.
• Make certain to use your important keyword at the beginning and thought your website copy.
• Create a privacy policy as it can ad credibility for your visitors and the search engines.
• Add a FAQ or facts page. This will provide your website visitors with answers to their questions and may hold valuable search engine optimization content.
• There is no guaranteed search engine optimization. Individuals do not control the search engines and those that tell you they can guarantee top placement are simply not telling the truth. * See below.

There are many web sites dedicated to search engine optimization and the short list of best practices is just that, short. The major item and theme here is Content is King. Well written website content is key to successful search engine optimization. When you start adding on the other aspects of good search engine optimization practices, your website will only get better as time rolls on.

Please be very wary and AVOID all companies who tell you they can get you to the number one natural search results on Google or Yahoo. They are "black hat" search engine practitioners and will more than likely get your website banned from Google and Yahoo.

Good and well executed search engine optimization does not happen over night and it takes time for the major search engines to find and index your website. It takes time, effort, patience and art in order to gain higher rank in the natural search results. It may take several months to rank well under specific keywords due to competition and older websites holding those positions. If you are in a major hurry to drive traffic to your website see the page on pay per click advertising.

While you consider the above topics and items of recommendation you may want to visit Google Analytics for free analytic tools. Take a good look at the Google Web master guidelines for some excellent recommendations directly from Google on what they look for in search engine optimization.

Please feel free to contact me with any of your search engine optimization questions and I will respond in 24 hours or less. Visit our internet marketing dictionary and FAQ section for quick online marketing questions or view our affordable search engine optimization services.