Search Engine Optimization: Basics for DIY Business Owners
Read More: Search Engine Optimization for DIY Business Owners
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Basics
Business owners think they know a few things about Search Engine Optimization ~ it is expensive, difficult, and needs to be outsourced. I am here to tell you a secret – are you ready? Are you listening? SEO is not hard, not complicated, and not beyond your reach. It is actually easy, just time consuming. The most basic concept is this – use keyword phrases that you want search engines to index for your company. That is it – the whole concept. Now for the strategy ~ where do you use these keywords? Many of these concepts can be explained deeper at Renegade University. Here is a rundown of several places where keywords need to be utilized:
- Website Title
- Page Titles (each page needs to be different)
- Article Titles – These titles need to be Header1 or H1 tags
- Articles need to use subtitles – Header 2 – Header 6 – like an outline
- Anchor text (the link that is actually clicked is the anchor)
- Near the beginning of each page's first paragraph
- Bold keywords have more weight
- The last phrase on the page
- Picture alt and title tags
- Meta tags
Let's explain a few of these.
Website Title
This is generally the title of your home page. It is what shows at the top of your browser as the title of your website. There are so many websites out there that use the title Home – that word does nobody any good for SEO. Make sure the title has your best keyword phrase, and if possible give it more than one. This is what tells search engines what your website is about – do not overlook this simple fix.
Page Titles
Every page has a title tag that will show in the browser title bar. Each page needs to be unique. If you are using the same title for all pages then you will be considered a search engine spammer – if each page was truly the same then you only need a one page site. Carefully consider your titles. Don't use Contact Me – instead use something like Web Design Vancouver Wa: Contact Dotty at Premium Websites. This title gets the message across that it is a contact page, but it also conveys it is a contact page for a web designer in Vancouver WA and the business is Premium Websites and the designer is Dotty.
Article Titles
If you are running a Blog then make sure all Articles or Posts are using the H1 tag for the Title, and that your keywords are in the title – preferably at the beginning of the title. This is why you will often see something like this – Search Engine Optimization: Basics for Business Owners. By using the colon tactic it makes sense to have the main keyword phrase at the beginning with a short explanation to follow. Remember how you title your articles should also be how the link to the article appears. Having your link include keywords is very important to rankings.
Articles need to use sub headers
Sub headers need to be H2-H6 tags and they need to be organized like an outline. Not only does this make the article easy to follow, easy to skim, and easy to read – it also allows for keyword phrases to be used in the headers. Search engines give more weight to keywords in H1 tags than keywords in H2 tags all the way down to the H6 tags. The top of the articles has the most weight for keyword usage.
Keywords in Anchor Text
Search engines place very high value on other websites that link to your website. It is like a vote of confidence for your website. The text used in the incoming link is also very important and is called anchor text. It must contain some of your keywords in order to get the full SEO value from this strategy. "Click here" won't cut it. By using your keywords and linking to your site with the same keywords it gives the search engines a clear understanding of what your site is about, and how to rank it.
Keywords near the beginning of paragraphs
A keyword used at the beginning of a paragraph has more weight than keywords used at the end. Also keywords used in the first paragraph has more weight than subsequent paragraphs. Keep this in mind when writing the content of your website. Also keywords that are either bold or italicized are give more weight than normal words. This does not mean to bold everything – that is considered spamming and will be penalized.
Picture alt and title tags
All images used need to be labeled with the alt tags. This makes the website compliant for people that use screen readers. It also gives you another instance of using a keyword phrase. The alt tag is what comes up if for some reason the image does not load, and the title tag is what shows when the image is hovered over by your mouse. Both should be used and the words used need to be both relevant to the image and using keywords. This is one area that is usually overlooked.
Meta tags
Meta tags are not used as much as they used to be. It used to be that search engines went from the meta tags to get a description and keywords for ranking the site. Now search engines usually use the actual content of the site for their listings. This does not mean that they are not important. They are often overlooked, but should still be used. Also the keywords should reflect the actual page, not be generalized for the whole site. As you can see, none of these tasks are hard, technical, or impossible. Some take thought, but the implementation is easy. It can be time consuming but it should not be beyond the ability for any business owner to accomplish if their website is created in a content management system of some kind. No html knowledge is needed.
To keep up on the news at Renegade Professional - visit Renegade Professional News.
About the Author Dotty
Dotty owns a web design firm in Vancouver, WA. She builds better websites for small businesses and teaches business owners how to effectively market the new website using Social Media and other online marketing techniques. She can be found on the Web at AttractionInternetMarketing.com and her Renegade Coach website is RenegadeUCoach.com
Views: 658
| 
Comments: 16 Proven, automated, easy-to-use tracking tool that gives you 'psychic' ability with every marketing step you take
About the Author: Dotty Scott
Member Since: 11/21/2008
Company: Premium Websites
Industry: Web Design
Primary Web Site: http://PremiumWebsites.net
SEO - A Great Topic
Hi Dotty,
Thanks for a great article on SEO. I've found it's true that the basics are not hard to learn at all. These tips combined with other good marketing tactics will be very helpful to anyone advertising their business online.
SEO is Well Worth Your Time.
Dotty,
This is an excellent article. Very informative for everyone. I have heard you speak before, and you are very knowledgeable on this subject.
I agree with you. Each concept under the SEO category is not that difficult. However, looking at a general overview of SEO can be a bit overwhelming for business owners.
The key here is to get very good internet marketing training. Looking back a year ago, I didn’t know anything about SEO. I didn’t even know what it stood for.
I have learned so much in the past year just watching a few Renegade Professional training tutorials. My suggestion is to get good training and to apply it one step at a time. Mastering this concept will certainly get you ranked much higher on the search engines.
Dotty, like you said. SEO is not expensive - just a little time consuming (especially at first). Great article.
Training is Essential
You are right Scott - Training is essential. I would like to encourage business owners to try the basics then search out training - and Renegade U Trainings are the best I have found. When someone tries something new to them first then they will benefit from any training 10 fold. They will know what to ask and how to better implement what they are learning.
It's in the Details
I must admit I find SEO fascinating. I think it's because I enjoy adding details and SEO is very tedious, as you mentioned. It can get a little too detailed sometimes, but I agree it is the difference between a site with a little traffic and a site with lots of targeted traffic.
I'll keep adding those SEO details to get the outcome my sites deserve.
Thanks Dotty, for laying it out.
SEO is not hard, not complicated, and not beyond your reach.
Sometimes just looking at something from a slightly different perspective can make the unachievable seem doable. Your article puts it in perspective and provides a great outline of the process.
thanks.
Great summary of SEO principles
Great review of SEO for beginner internet marketers or anyone for that matter.
At first learning all of this can seem very daunting, however, with some time, knowledge and putting it into practice, it is doable for most anyone.
SEO
Dotty,
Your article is clear cut and to the point, when speaking about SEO. I really enjoyed it... In actuality Dotty, the more and more I learn about SEO, the more and more I'm fascinated with it. Thanks for all the great points.
Donna Wells
SEO Made Easy
Hey Dotty I have to admit I knew nothing about the importance of sub-headers and H-Tags before you joined us at RenegadePro. Your experience as a web site designer has really been a great help to us all.
I think this one sentence says it all "use keyword phrases that you want search engines to index for your company" Thanks for sharing.
SEO Tips
Dotty - thanks for another informative article! Getting some extra training, such as at Renegade Pro, would be a wonderful idea - but just following what you have laid out here is a great start.
use keyword phrases that you want search engines to index for yo
@Kevin
One would think that phrase would be obvious to people - but it simply is not. When people look at their own site they seem to forget about the audience. In actuality the audience is all that is important. If people can remember this one thing - to think like a customer then all their efforts will start to pay off.
Paying Attention to the Lesson
Dotty, You have done a concise, straightforward overview that makes understanding the basic principle of SEO simple.
Like many other things that are simple, they are easy to do and easy not to do. It pays off to give close attention to SEO as you have outlined it here and actually do it.
Thanks.
SEO Not A Secret
Many think that search engine optimization is only for those who know the secret of marketing online.
Wrong!
Anyone can learn SEO but there are teachers that know more than others and can make the learning so much easier. So make sure you find a teacher you can trust and who is available.
Your Article is a Must read
Dotty
Your article should be required reading for business owners that need some help understanding SEO and how to put it to work for their business. It has been said several times in your article and the comments that SEO need not be difficult. Just get some good help, take it one step at a time, and be realistic about your expectations.
It is so important to remember that you can do this and if you take your time, get some good training like that offered at Renegade Pro and don't get frustrated, you will get results that often times will surprise you.
Many small business owners do have to wear many hats and their time is often limited. In that case they may want to think about hiring an expert like Dotty.
Great Tips
You have done a great job here in explaining steps that may seem hard but really aren't and making it simple enough for all to pay very close attention to. David is correct in saying that this really should be required reading especially for people just starting out. Finding the help and practicing good SEO practices does bring about great results. Finding the help is key though.
Thanks David
Thanks for pointing out that many business owners do wear several hats. If they would take the time to at least be familiar with the process then when they do outsource the SEO part they will be informed enough to pick the right company. There are so many SEO companies out there that really do not have a clue!
Working Smart, Bring the Right Results
Dotty
Great article for any business owner to study and apply. No wonder you are a successful website designer, and blogger.
There is no use in writing article or have a website if we don't take in the element of good SEO. Thanks for the reminder.