To get the very best from search marketing and if you decide not to use a search marketing agency then you need a good grasp of the rules and how to play the game. Best practice, patience, and knowledge deliver consistent results. There are very definitely no shortcuts to a successful search engine optimisation campaign – it still very much stands that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is....so we thought we’d put together our top 5 tips to ethical search engine optimisation.
There are two really important things to consider when looking to improve your Search Engine Rankings,
On Page activity - how good is your sites content for the keywords or key phrases you are looking to rank highly for.
Off page activity – generally the more high quality websites that link to your website the higher your site will be ranked on Google.
If you always keep these things in mind and then take on board our top five tips:-
1. Content is still King – this is as true today as it was 12 years ago when we started Prodo. Good quality content is what Google relies on to make a judgement on how good your site is, it can only read text so it stands to reason that the more relevant the content the more it will rate your site. So think of authoritative content, articles, tutorials, great industry news or advise – the better your content the more likely you are to also get others to want to link to your site.
2. Go for the quality links – quality is preferable to quantity, don’t be fooled by the volume of links – it’s the quality that really does count. Look at your existing business contacts and see which of them would like to link to your site, look at local government business directories, professional organisations or membership groups that have member directories. In addition try article marketing, loading your press releases with back links from key phrases in the copy and email them to online industry publications.
3. Go for the Natural Option! You will often hear of white-hats and black-hats and whilst it all sounds a bit ‘Harry Potter’ it is essential that you understand the difference. White hat techniques mean that you are following Googles strict guidelines – don’t ever try and circumnavigate them, they take a very dim view of anyone trying to manipulate their rankings. Many businesses look for a quick-win or a short cut – don’t be tempted if you don’t do it right, you are safer to not do it at all.....if in doubt just check out Matt Cutts on Google and he will lead you away from the ‘dark side’ [sorry we promise that is the last Star Wars reference!]
4. Write a blog – think of BLOG as standing for Better Listings On Google. Blogs are an incredible way of attracting new visitors to your website, and as a way of gaining links. By creating a popular and interesting blog Google will see you as more authoritative. Each blog article can be packed full of keywords and key phrases which can do wonders for your Search Engine optimisation rankings.
5. Keep up to date. Practically all the search engines have ever changing algorithms – so you really need to keep up to date with the latest changes, we recommend reading something like www.blogstorm.co.uk which will assist or go to Matt Cutts site. Don’t just stick with one strategy, try new things and if in doubt ask a SEM professional (like us!)