10.27.2010

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Made Simple

Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo want to do just one thing: Give the perfect results for a search on the first try. Below you'll find a list of the things you'll need to do if you want to be one of the top results for searches related to your business.

Answer your future customers' questions — What might somebody looking a business like yours ask a search engine? Come up with a list of questions people might ask in trying to find your business and answer them directly with your content.

Use video to gain an early lead — One way to gain some ground is to create videos about your business and product offerings. Google's search results will show your video on the front page because you've answered your future customers' question in a unique way!

Build a network of links — Put your social network to use and get friends with sites, especially the ones relevant to your business, to link to your site using words that relate to your business and location. Search engines use links like guide ropes in a snowstorm to determine exactly where your site belongs in search results.

Add your business to local directories — Adding your business to local directories will help people searching for your business find it more easily. Setting up a local business page on Google (it’s free) will also help your business get the most visibility for your time and money.

Use Analytics — You can’t optimize for best results if you’re not tracking your progress. Services like Google's free analytics service (Google Analytics) keep track of all the people visiting your site and what they do during their visit. You can then use that information to make smarter decisions about the future content and layout of your site.