Email is Alive

Search Engine Optimization – Are there really so many secrets?

Are there really so many "Secret Sauces" for Search Engine Optimization?

I mean really, if you think about a search engine and how it indexes content. Won't you come to the conclusion that relevant content for the keywords you optimize for is the best way to get traffic?

Don't get me wrong here, there are ton's of methods to herd and drive that traffic, but once you put all the sheeple into the corral...then what?

You need grass for them to graze on..duh.

I say these things only to rant about the "developers" and "SEO gurus", that say, "I know SEO!" No, you don't, and neither does your friend. Link Bombs, Keyword stuffing and the like are now being tracked pretty well and the chances of you using them to your benefit are slim. Google will punish you for them and you'll be sorry. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you clearly don't have much knowledge of Search Engine Optimization and it really doesn't matter.

Here are some fundemental basics for site optimization.

1. Title Tags - add them to your pages, make sure they say different things and are relevant to the page they title. add a keyword or two..that won't hurt either.
2. Keywords - Google doesn't use them...but others do and it's good practice to have them on your page to tell you what your going after if you haven't been on that site in a while.
3. Meta Description - you know that sentence that shows up underneath the links when you search for things in Google...write one for each page..add another keyword in there.

These three things will help your site/pages rank better. What makes these things relevant?

You're labeling and describing each page with relevant titles and descriptions that the search engines will use to categorize your site. The better you label and describe your site, the better your site will do. Keep in mind, there are more things to do in optimizing your site, but these three are must haves to start with. Content will help you tremendously in keeping your viewers interest.

The sauce is not in the fundementals of search engine optimization, it's in the research that goes into understanding your viewers and how to get them to and keep them on your site. You can pump eyeballs to your site all day and not get them to do what you want them to do...

Don't be fooled by the next "Guru" that waltzes into your office. Ask him if he even knows how to setup a Google Analytics Account. If he/she does...get them to show you.

Tags: SearchEngine Optimization, SEO Fundementals, Google Analytics, Carlyle Inc

About Rory Carlyle

Rory Carlyle is an Email-Geek, frequent twitter hound, web-analytics nut and an all around dweeb. With experience in consulting, agency work and as an Email Marketing Manager; Rory has seen issues regarding email from many perspectives. Continuing on a 6+ year march through all things interactive marketing with a strong affinity for email, Rory hopes to make the web a better place one inbox at a time. Outside of his email passion he fills his time with beer/food/books and the occasional flight to somewhere random. Twitter: @rorycarlyle