15 Ways To Win The SEO Battle

Tweak Your Biz » Technology » 15 Ways To Win The SEO Battle

15 Ways To Win The SEO Battle

by Aoife Rigney on May 31st, 2012
19 Comments

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” Search Engines use processes to identify content to match a user’s search query. Website owners use SEO in order to be identified by these Search Engines, and so increasing the traffic to their website and potentially escalating sales and profits.

All major search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing have such results, where web pages and other content such as videos or local listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers most relevant to users.

Google

Google is the most popular Search Engine at present, Google logs 2 billion searches a day. However, it has never released full details of its SEO Algorithm (the actual process by which Google searches through websites). Below is a useful You Tube clip of Google’s Webmaster explaining how Google search works:

So, from experience and vast research over the last few years I have compiled a checklist which I use regularly (almost daily at this stage).

Related: The 7 Day SEO Diet

SEO Checklist

This SEO checklist includes the most essential checks that one should make before publishing a website online and should be updated regularly. SEO is a constant battle and requires constant monitoring and updating and so this check list will help to focus on the most important aspects.

Keywords

Complete an extensive keyword analysis to find words relevant to the industry/product/niche.
Create high quality content which will be searched by search engines. However, remember that this content must benefit your website’s users in some way. Pointless content dilutes your brand’s message. Ensure that content is added regularly – a blog/latest news section on website would aid this.
Add unique titles and descriptions to each page of the website.
Add important keywords to page titles, meta-descriptions and the HTML headings (H1-H6) Again remember that these will be seen by users to it is important to write these to entice the users further into your site.
Ensure all images on site have a descriptive ALT text included

URLs, Links and SiteMap

Include important keywords in URLS
Ensure links are SEO friendly. Use dashes as opposed to underscores in URLS
Create links from homepage to each page and vice versa.
Check that all links work, and bring the user to the correct page. Remove all broken links.
Registered domain name should contain relevant keywords if possible
Create XML and/or HTML sitemaps. Submit these to search engines and ensure these are updated regularly.

Analytics

Ensure Google Analytics account (or other web analytics package) set up and integrated with site by adding the tracking code on all pages of the website. To get full details of how to obtain the tracking code are, click here.
Develop a strong Link building Strategy for inbound and outbound links.
Monitor competitor websites
If using Social Media, make sure these are included on website.

SEO is a cost-effective method to acquire customers. There is no payment to the search engines for being indexed. SEO is useful for generating visitors to your website and so, boosts brand visibility and awareness.

Engaging in SEO forces website owners to have better websites because search engine crawlers recognise errors in code and so correct, valid code is a must, making a better website for search engine crawlers and users alike.

The constant battle of trying to get your website ranking highly in Search Engine results is eased if the basics of SEO are implemented. If your website isn’t search engine optimised, you are missing out!

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” ― Milton Berle.

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Category: Google, Search engines, SEO, websites

Tags: Business SEO, SEO Checklist

The Author: Aoife Rigney

Aoife Rigney recently graduated with Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Information Systems at Cork Institute of Technology. She has a passion for social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and all things marketing and technology. Having worked with SMEs throughout Ireland over the last few years, she has helped them to get to grips with their online presence, developing strategies and supporting implementation. While relatively new to blogging, she loves to spend a lot of time reading while online. Aoife is a techie at heart with marketing on the brain. A twitter addict; @aoiferigney :) http://aoiferigneymarketing.wordpress.com

Add Your Comment

http://www.bloggertone.com Niall Devitt

Hi Aoife, welcome and thank for this super SEO checklist. I will bookmarking and using to support me when publishing here at TYB.
Debi Harper

Aoife well done on your 1st post,brilliant and I totally love “If opportunity doesn’t knock,build a door” will share everywhere:)
Catherine

Fab read great post and agree with Debi love thet quote
http://www.smartsolutions.ie/blog/ Elaine Rogers

I believe (rightly or wrongly) that engagement on other websites (such as this for example) improves SEO and SEM, especially when we can include our SN, Blog and weblinks every time we comment. Would you agree with that?
Great common sense pointers there Aoife, and welcome to TYB!
@smartsols_ie:twitter
http://TheMarketingShop.ie/ Debbie McDonnell

Great first post Aoife, lots of really useful information there. If I could add one thing it would be to be very careful when choosing an SEO expert to work with your business. Get a recommendation if possible as the right person will be good for your business, the wrong one will drain your cash and potentially damage your site in Google.
http://twitter.com/aoiferigney Aoife Rigney

Thanks Niall!
http://twitter.com/aoiferigney Aoife Rigney

Thanks Debi! It’s exciting being part of Tweak Your Biz!! Thanks for sharing
http://twitter.com/aoiferigney Aoife Rigney

Thanks Catherine!
http://twitter.com/aoiferigney Aoife Rigney

Hi Elaine,
Yes! I would totally agree with you there. By engaging with people on a variety of different platforms (using your SN, Blog and web links each time) it increases the number of inbound links to your website. This all helps your SEO but also your online brand reputation!

However, I do have to say that unless your SEO is set up correctly using the basics in the above checklist, engagement on the various platforms is pretty pointless. Also, if Google Analytics (or similar) is not set up, you have no way of knowing which platforms you are engaging with, are worth your time! As we all know, time is precious! Working smarter not harder is key with SEO! Thanks for your kind welcome too!
http://twitter.com/aoiferigney Aoife Rigney

Thanks for your kind comment Debbie.
I would totally agree with you there – and I am so glad you brought it up!!

To be honest, if someone was calling themselves an SEO expert to begin with, I would be worrying! Let’s talk straight.. Nobody ACTUALLY knows how Google’s algorithm works when crawling websites, because Google keep it a secret. It is a guessing game!
So it is crucial to have an experienced person when dealing with your website.
If I was looking for an SEO expert I would:
1. Ask around. (Use all of your networks to get recommendations)
2. Check out their previous work
3. Don’t just go with someone because you have heard of them, they may be all talk and no action.
4. You are employing someone to work on one of the most important parts of your business. Make a contract (or agreed written agreement)
5. Also, just because they may be the cheapest, doesn’t mean you are getting a “good deal”!!!

Hope that helps in someway… I’ve been doing Search Engine Optimisation for 2 years now, and I am still learning new things everyday!
Elishbul

Thank you for that ! Succinct and easy to follow for us non techies
Donna

Thank you for this article. At times I get lost in understanding SEO, it can be overwhelming, so much information, but sometimes confusing. I like your instructions.
http://twitter.com/#!/antonmccarthy Anton McCarthy

Hi Aoife, nice first post! Like how you mentioned how your content should benefit the user. This is the essence of great SEO – creating value for your readers, not trying to ‘trick’ search engines with spammy, worthless copy. If you’re going to go to the time/expense of creating content, why not make it great?
John Twohig

Well Aoife, for somebody who thought her first post was not going to be very good, I think you have scored a direct hit. The post is excellent, simple to follow and well thought out. I agree with Anton when he says, it’s important to post content with your customer in mind, not many do.

Welcome to TYB and keep up the good work.

John, Munster Abu!!!
http://twitter.com/#!/antonmccarthy Anton McCarthy

Hi Aoife, just one point on that – it might sound surprising, but you can actually neglect the best practice elements you mention, and still do well SEO-wise In other words, you can still rank well through having quality inbound links and great content – even if your website is less than fully optimised. Links and content will drive your rankings, even without the other elements in place.

Of course, having the whole package is obviously preferable and will bring the best results
http://twitter.com/boozerevolution eric cross

Very well put together checklist, thank you =)
http://twitter.com/boozerevolution eric cross

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Yeah SEO is the best of getting traffic and leads to your website the thing is to make the best SEO strategy for link building andmartink123 Social media optimization,
http://www.mgtdesign.co.uk/web-design-northampton/ adam

Social Business Strategy as a model is still developing, collaboration, values, authenticity and sharing are all key pillars to the successful adoption and implementation of the strategy. Keep in touch with us.

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