Simple Rules of SEO Success

Here are some really simple rules to follow for the do it yourself SEO person.

1. Keyword research is a must.
2. When possible use your keywords in your title tags, heading tags and through out the copy on the web page .
3. Write content for visitors not search engines.
4. Link to others not just yourself.
5. Rules change: don’t panic.
6. Remember your competition.
7. Always keep moving.

Keyword Research Is A Must

Just because you know your market doesn’t mean that you know how everyone finds you on the search engine. Take the time to do keyword research from multiple sources. Also don’t forget to use your website log files to find more keywords sometimes the results there will surprise you.

When Possible Use Your Keywords in Your Title Tags, Heading Tags and Through Out the Copy On the Web Page

Using your keywords in the appropriate tags is one of the basic fundamentals of doing SEO, that being said don’t over do it. It’s more important for the reader to understand what you are saying than the search engines. If you are getting stuck try using keywords that support your main theme. This can do a lot to boost your search engine ranking.

Write Content For Visitors Not Search Engines

I know I just mentioned it but it’s worth repeating. Write for your visitor not the search engine. The search engines are figuring out how to rank the pages better using semantic analysis. That is an important point since I believe SEO work is a long term strategy for the web.

Link To Others Not Just Yourself

Don’t be afraid to link to other website that you don’t own. If you just link to yourself its difficult to build any third party validation to what you say. For most of the sites out there you should link to other sites that validate your point thereby increasing your credibility along the way. People come to the web for information don’t be afraid to give it to them. When you do they will just come back for more again and again.

Rules Change: Don’t Panic

The search engines are always changing the rules on how they rank web pages. They will give one thing preference one day and change it the next when people start abusing it. You don’t need to use any “tricks” to rank high in the search engine just pay attention to the fundamentals since most websites don’t even do that. If that doesn’t get you to the top then start looking and some of the more advanced techniques to get you higher.

Remember Your Competition

The first thing you need to change is your thoughts about who you are competing against when getting ranked in the search engines. You DO NOT compete against the search engines themselves. If this were a sport the search engines would be the referees. It’s the referees job to enforce the rules (And in this case they make them too, sad but true). If the referee sees a pattern of abuse for a particular rule then they make recommendation for a rule change. And just like in any sports game out there you are competing against the other team not the referees. Just like in a game each referee interprets the rules slightly different but they all follow the same fundamental guidelines. The other team would be the web page ranking higher than yours. When you pay attention to them you can find out what they are better than you at, but make sure that you start with the fundamentals then work on the other more advanced stuff later.

Always Keep Moving

Don’t get stuck in the rut of alway going back over your work and updating to the “new” search engine rule. If you do that you will get mired in the updates and not be able to add the quality content that will keep your visitors coming back. The best way to handle it is to incorporate the new techniques on the new pages you create so as the rules change you will still have pages that rank well with the search engines…because the rules could always change back again and then you would have to start all over again.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t hard rules to follow and really are more like guide lines to me in my decision making about what to pursue and what to add to my reading list when I have time. With all the changes that the search engines have done they still follow the same fundamentals. Take the time to learn the fundamentals and it will benefit you in the long run.