Search Engine Optimization

[Melos]

How do you do SEO?

The tips I have gleaned are:

1) Keyword rich title tags
2) Keyword rich content - at least 200 words per page - about 5% keyword density
3) Use Alt image tags
4) External CSS style sheets and external scripts

What else?

[Slashmire]

These are quite the most popular points; basically you want to make life easiers for our friends, the "spiders".

Another point that may worth looking into is having a paid subscription with a search engine; doesn't guarantee first place though.

You may find much more at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEO

[Business Brian]

Thank goodness they've updated the SEO entry at Wikipedia - it used to be written by people who hadn't a clue about SEO.

As for how to do SEO - basically, there are two levels:

1. On-page optimization
2. Off-site optimization

On-page SEO basically is what you're doing - keywords on pages, titles, tags, etc. But in any competitive marketplace, these alone will not be enough.

That's where off-site optimization comes in, and usually involves link building for your keywords - ie, setting up links containing your keywords, and pointing to your website. This means search engines are urged to regard your website as important for your targeted keywords. Pretty essential in competitive marketplaces.

[solar]

Content is key, Keywords and keyphrases, linking and artilces are my best ways...
The basic things most other people do. I guess being similar but a little bit different is the key..finding that niche.

[feline]

Thanks, for this info.  I have only learned SEO as keywords, having them in your domain name, linking, submitting to search engines but this thread gives me more information.

[taiarain]

It does, doesn't it. I'm going to take a hard look at the Wiki site.

Taia

[4silverstrea]

I paid a company to put my website at the top of the Yahoo list with a guarantee that I would get 5 new clients. Though I did get more traffic, and I did get people downloading my Profile and References, I got nil job offers. I know i have to redesign my site, but I thought that paying a company would get me SOMETHING. The best thing I discovered is writing online articles is the way to go. That’s what comes up when I do a search for myself...the online articles I have written!

[Melos]

Good info Brian.   So, if you put your link on a site, it is better to put (for example) "Gold and Diamond Jewelry" than to have the link say "Joe's Jewelry Mart"  right ?  I suppose what is better for off-site SEO is not necessarily good for brand recognition though, huh?

[wondering]

Hi brian! I think it's so funny when people post their pics. It strikes me as funny since a couple people have posted but Brian's the only one with a face.