Get The SEO Rankings You Want

by Allan Barker

Introduction

Where do you rank on the World Wide Web? It's not enough to have a website; you have to get ranked on the first page to get noticed. Otherwise, holding your position at number 28,432 on Google isn't going to do you much good. ChÃ«ck out some easy ways to improve your page rank and get yourself noticed.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures that your website copy is written and structured in a way that improves chances that your website will be found when someone performs a search. For example, if your company sells insurance, you'd use words or phrases such as life insurance, insurance quote, insurance agent, or home insurance.

Content

Write articles that grab the interest of readers right now. Include case studies and whitepapers on your site that will give your visitors a reason to always come back. Or even chÃ«ck out what's going on in the news and be there first to report changes that impact your industry. For example, if you sell mortgagÃ«s, be the first one to report the drop in mortgagÃ« rates. You'll generate a lot of traffÃc and Ãncrease your ranking. Remember, time is of the essence. If you find out something new and hot, you should write about it before your competition does!

Search engine spiders are looking for sites that are periodically updated with rich content. Do not offÃ«r content that isn't useful. Some people try to place content that is rich in keywords but doesn't offÃ«r the incoming traffÃc anything beneficial. Low traffÃc will equal lower rankings with top search engines. The idea behind rich content with specific keywords is that because you keep posting content, soon you will be ranked within the search engines for specific words. So, when I post articles about the different insurance rates and options, etc.; when an on-line visitor is searching for this info they will land on your site and may become potential clients.

Content must be used to provide new and interesting information that your reader wants to know about, offÃ«r helpful tips, or solve a problem. This content will get you link-backs which are excellent for driving traffÃc. You can also post articles through authentic submission sites, and that will also generate a lot of traffÃc. Many companies publish with different online magazines etc., not only to prove their expertise but also to gain more traffÃc linking to their sites.

OffÃ«r Resources

OffÃ«r resources that will help your reader. For instance, if you are an insurance agent, and you want to attract new clients, offÃ«r a comparison chart of all the insurance agencies in the area so your user can make an objective decision. At first, it seems like the insurance company is driving business away that way. Not so. If you offÃ«r your users resources that benefit them, they will come back for more when they are searching again.

Link It Up

Linking to other websites is a great way to Ãncrease your page ranking. Linking to other websites raises credibility in the eyes of the search engines. Who should you link to? Provide links to websites that offÃ«r a similar product or service as you do, or websites that are industry related. A spa can link to its beauty suppliers, for example. Ask them if they will provide a link to your website, and remember to offÃ«r to link to theirs in return. You can also submÃt articles to directories or credible article submission websites to gain links. Good articles and resources will get you bookmarked and potentially linked to by other users.

Include a Site Map

Generate a site map that links to every page in your site. Search engines like pages that can be accessed easily, so make sure your important pages remain in the first or second level.

Make Changes

Every month or two go back and update or make changes to your website. If you let it become stale, the search engines will toss you out like yesterday's news. Update it to generate new interest. Another great way is to add a daily blog. This will ensure that your content is updated daily and stays fresh.

Live Bookmarks

Updates happen all the time. A live bookmark keeps track of updates and lets you know that information has changed, rather than you checking to see if websites have made additions. By providing live bookmarks, you are increasing your traffÃc and ranking because people will come back to you sooner, and more often.

RSS Feeds

Create an RSS Feed. RSS or Rich Site Syndication is a file format used by publishers to make their content available to others in a format that is universal. RSS is a way to publish content and update it in real time. This gives the user the opportunÃty access information through an RSS reader.

Targeted Headlines

A clear, targeted headline will nudge your ranking a little higher. Use large text and words that relate to your website. For example, if you are a content developer, you could write a headline like: "Ten Quick Tips For Killer Copy."

Cheers
Allan Barker
Alphatech5.com