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*disclaimer: As Greg Dzurik says, if someone cracked Google’s code, they’d be a millionaire. The algorithm constantly changes, but here are a few tips and tricks to set you on the right track. Create Valuable Content. Search engines are businesses which seek to provide users the most relevant websites for their search criteria. The reason they create complex algorithms and SEO exists is to do this. No other advice on this page matters if your content is not valuable. Depending on your audience, “value” could mean being entertaining, practical, approachable, cool, or something else. Choose a Keyword and Use It Often. Figure out that valuable “one thing” your website is about, determine what word or phrase best describes that, and use it often. Use it in your website title, domain name, description, headers, page titles, body text, etc. Make your purpose clear to search engines. SEOmark.co.uk does this well. In their header alone, they use the keyword “SEO” 7 times. 
Have Others Link To You. This is arguably the most important aspect of SEO. Search engines love websites other websites love. The easiest way to have others link to your website is to create content worthy of sharing and establish a platform through which to share it (e.g. social linking buttons). Alternatively, you can reach out to other websites. For instance, a school may post a link for a local camp if asked. Some websites may link to your page upon request and others may allow you to guest author a post to the same end. Link To Relevant Websites. You can do this by including hyperlinks inside articles, having a resource page, or in whichever manner works best for your needs. The important thing is to only include links people will click. An unclicked link just provides a proverbial vote for another website’s SEO. An oft clicked link helps search engines consider you an authority in your field. Never Consider Your Website Finished. Active websites get better search results. This is the reason blogs with dynamic content and large directories (like Wikipedia or Monster) appear so high on search engines. They have relevant new content constantly being added. That being said: Do Not Change Your Domain Name. Although active websites do well, older urls are considered more authoritative and thus have better results. |