Search Engine Optimization For the Popularity of Your Site

The 4 Essential SEO elements are

• Relevant title keywords
• Quality links to your site
• A search-engine-friendly website
• Effective content

#1. Use relevant key phrases for the title of each web page of your site.

To a large degree, search engines rely on the title (or, title tag) to determine what a web pages is about. You can see the title of a web page at the top of your browser above the menu items. Your goal is to match the title with the goods and services you offer.

Example: Assume I need SEO services and search Google for "SEO services." Sure enough, the search results list many web pages where SEO and services have been used in the title. Click on one of those listings and note that the title tag corresponds to the search engine listing.

Create your title tags with expressions people might use to find your service or products.

#2. Get some quality backlinks.

Backlinks are simply links to your site from another website (web page actually). Your web site is like a flag waving in the breeze. Thing is, your flag is completely surrounded by other flags waving in that same breeze. How do you get your flag noticed? A taller flagpole of course!

The keywords in your title are what's painted on your flag and the number and quality of backlinks determine the height of your flagpole. The more quality backlinks you have, the taller your flagpole.

Where to get links

• Web Directories - There are several good free and paid directories in which you can list your site. Hot Frog is an effective free directory and SiteBeSeen is an excellent paid directory. You may or may not get more value from a paid directory versus a free one; it depends on what is provided by the paid directory. In general, paid directories are respected by the search engines because there is usually a human review of the submitted listings, which weeds out spam. Another source of links is industry or association directories relevant to your business line.
• Articles - A newspaper or other publication article (there is almost always an online version) about your company is a great way to get a high quality backlink. This method also leaves the writing to someone else, which is good for the writing challenged. Writing and submitting an article to a site like EzineArticles is also effective for generating a link and is potentially a source of website traffic.
• Blogging - Many blogs accept guest posts relating to their subject matter. This method works best when the blog is a high-profile blog and when blog owner permits a link back to your site.

Don't bother with link exchanges, bulk link submitting services, or making blog comments that include a link to your site. For reasons beyond the scope of this article, the search engines won't give much, if any, value to those links.

Quality backlinks are mandatory for online success. If you need an SEO to get them for you then by all means hire one. Remember, the flag that gets noticed sits on the taller flag pole.

#3. A search-engine-friendly website.

Search engines are pretty good at deciphering web pages these days. There are, however, some website elements that can be search engine obstacles.

• Flash - Google claims to be able to "read" Flash but who knows how effectively and whether the Flash designer has made it Google-friendly Flash. Use Flash as an enhancement to a page that has copy on it and not as the entire content of the page. After all, what is the marketing value of a web page that cannot be read by search engines?
• Dynamic URLs - these are links created by using a database. Search engines can read them but they tend to not follow them as thoroughly as plain links. Simple URLs are friendly URLs.
• JavaScript navigation links - JavaScript links are not direct links to the target page; they require interpretation to be followed by the engines. That will slow down or completely block a search engine's ability to follow links and discover your other web pages. Avoid JavaScript for navigation links (Home, About, Products, etc.).

#4. Write for People

You've dealt with items 1, 2, and 3 are starting to see some website traffic. Is your site effective at motivating those visitors to take the next step? Now is the time to capture their interest with good copy and tools like video, discount coupons, blog subscription, a free download, or something that motivates your visitors to engage with your business. Make your website more than a simple electronic billboard.

Time is also a factor with search rankings; it can take several months for the effects of a SEO efforts to be reflected in improved search result rankings. Persistence and patience is important. Use keywords in the title and build a base of quality inbound links to your site and the number of site visitors will increase over time. Use good copy and a clear call to action and those visitors will become customers in larger numbers.