Tips for Optimizing Your Web Site - Part One
Many web site providers have no idea of how to construct a site that is not only search engine friendly, but also optimized for specific search terms, often called, "key phrases."
First, let me say, optimizing is not for the faint of heart. Each search engine uses their own unique algorithm to determine which sites get top placement for any given search word or phrase. The exception would be for paid placement. What I am talking about is "organic" positioning, or creating a site that the engines determine is relevant for a particular search based on its construction and content.
Following, is the first in a series of tips that can help you ensure that your site doesn't get blacklisted by the search engines. Check back for tips on how to construct a site that will improve your odds of high placement.
1. Do NOT "hide" colored text in the same color background that repeats your key words over and over.
2. Do not use keywords unrelated to what it is you sell. If you sell automobiles but your web site has meta tags ("instructions" that tell the search engines what the site is about) that say "sex, hot girls, new cars, used cars, automobile repair, discount autos", your site is likely to be penalized for trying to trick the engines into driving traffic to your site that is not relevant to its content.
3. The use of Flash is changing, but often times searches do not return sites where Flash programming is the first thing encountered. Skip the "sizzle" and get right to the "steak." Give potential customers the information for which they are searching.
4. Landing pages or redirecting. Again, give your customers the information for which they are searching instead of redirecting them to another site or a page constructed for a purpose other than what the searcher was seeking.
5. Watch your use of other programming languages. Often times, pages call from databases and other sources to display the page you are seeing.
6. Don't use all graphics. Yes, they should be present to provide interest, but search engines cannot see pictures. Images can be given "Alt" tags so that it is evident what the pictures represent.
7. Do not put identical content out under a bunch of domains. Don't copy your web site and put it out under different domain names. If you want to use different domains to try and capture traffic, change up your content.
Check back for tips on how to construct a "search engine friendly" site.
