| 1. Title Tag | | | | you with even higher rankings. Then, other sites will |
| All search engines, including Google read the title tag of | | | | want to link to you as well, and that will also increase |
| your website as the most vital part of every website it | | | | your rankings. Other content tricks of the trade include |
| scans. Your title tag is one of the very few elements | | | | the art of not overusing keywords, and occasionally |
| of search engine optimization that you as a | | | | using boldface type for keywords. |
| webmaster have direct control over---use it wisely! | | | | 5. Domain Names |
| The underlined header for your result in the SERPS is | | | | If you haven't already selected and purchased your |
| your title tag. You'll notice that your title tag also | | | | domain name, select one that includes some of your |
| appears at the top of your browser when you, or | | | | niche keywords. Google highlights your domain name |
| anyone else, visits your site. Your title tag should | | | | when it includes keywords and this can result in a little |
| describe your site and include your niche keywords. | | | | extra "kick" in your Google rankings. |
| 2. Description Tag | | | | 6. Pagerank |
| The description tag works just like it sounds---it is the | | | | Many people seem to be obsessed with the Google |
| description of your website. It is positioned under the | | | | pagerank bar. Do not rely on the pagerank bar or |
| title tag in search engine results. Use your niche | | | | make rash decisions based on this information! The |
| keywords here as well. | | | | Google Pagerank bar is slow to update---about every |
| 3. Keywords | | | | 3 months. Google holds the secret of everyone's page |
| Keywords are truly the backbone of successful | | | | rank, and it is not a constant number. It changes |
| search engine optimization. It is critical to do keyword | | | | continuously as Google spiders sites. |
| research to determine the best combinations for your | | | | 7. Linking |
| website. Determining keywords before launching your | | | | When it comes to linking, one way links are always |
| site is highly recommended by many SEO experts. | | | | better two way links, but they are much harder to |
| Some highly ambitious web entrepreneurs make the | | | | obtain. Writing articles that include links to your website |
| mistake of selecting keywords that are simply too | | | | and distributing them is an excellent way of establishing |
| broad. For example, the keyword "gift basket" will turn | | | | one way links. |
| up thousands, possibly millions of websites on a Google | | | | You should always consider reciprocal linking with |
| search. It would take months, probably years, and | | | | websites that feature quality content, especially ones |
| thousands of dollars to reach the #1 Google spot on | | | | similar in topic to yours. |
| such a highly competed after term. | | | | Here is a great tool for checking out your linking |
| However, if you simply changed the term "gift basket" | | | | prospects to see if they link to adult sites or other |
| to "vegetarian gift basket" or " dark chocolate gift | | | | poorly regarded sites. |
| basket" or "new baby gift basket" Google would turn | | | | 8. Blogs |
| up far fewer results. By going with more specific | | | | Blogs are the darling of Google because they consist |
| "niche" keywords and phrases you'll be more likely to | | | | of lots of ever-changing text! Start a blog, use your |
| reach Google's top ranking spot, and benefit in terms | | | | niche keywords regularly, and your rankings will |
| of traffic and sales. | | | | probably improve. In addition, people love to link to blogs |
| Two good keyword-finding tools are (free) or | | | | that contain useful information, which will also boost |
| WordTracker, a subscription service. | | | | your Google Rankings. |
| After you determine your keywords, it is often very | | | | 9. The Open Directory (DMOZ) |
| helpful to "test" them on Google by typing them in and | | | | Remember to submit your site DMOZ. It can take |
| checking to see how many results come up. | | | | awhile to get listed there, but it is helpful because |
| Keywords that turn up less than 50,000 results are | | | | Google sometimes considers DMOZ results as |
| considered to be among the best. | | | | organic. Many directories utilize DMOZ results, and |
| 4. Content | | | | directory listings are more one way links for you. |
| Have you ever heard the expression that "content is | | | | 10. The "I Need This Done Yesterday" Strategy: |
| king"? It is true, the content of your website is very | | | | Unfortunately this one doesn't exist. The truth is there |
| important to your Google rankings. And if you go a | | | | are no fast fixes when it comes to getting higher |
| step further, and rotate new, fresh website content | | | | rankings in Google. Successful search engine |
| about your business or topic, then Google will reward | | | | optimization takes months of careful execution. |