SEO, or otherwise known as search engine optimization, encompasses anything which makes a web page rank well in search engines. This kind of strategy needs to take into the account how the various search engine algorithms work. The following five factors are strong influences on SEO.
- Keywords.
- Keyword placement
- Outbound links.
- Inbound links.
- Quality of the content.
After optimizing the web page for these factors, the writer needs to consider the commercial nature of the content. All the age-old rules of good quality copy apply.
Best SEO Rankings for Small Business
Keywords were derived originally from ancient rhetoric, as the words and phrases revealing reasoning structure. They are therefore highly beneficial for business positioning.
A website must have keyword strategy to achieve best SEO rankings. Choose good keywords by finding phrases that are:
- Most relevant to the web page content.
- Most frequently used as search queries by potential readers.
- Matched with search engine algorithms.
Search engines like Google break down web page content into words and phrases. Each word becomes a separate search term. It lists the web page in its index, noting the location within the page of each search term. It refers to its index to find web pages relevant to the search query. A more specific keyword phrase allows a better search match.
Readers can see how Google works at Google Insights for Search.
SEO Analysis Tips for Keyword Placement
The most important piece of web page content provided to a search engine is its title. Therefore, place the primary keyword phrase near the beginning of the title. Keywords should be placed in these strategic locations.
- conclusion paragraph.
- first 100 words of the body.
- bold sub-headings.
- remainder of the body as needed.
- captions to images or photos.
SEO Optimization with Links
Outbound links to highly ranked external sources should be included. They must be relevant to the target industry. They must be informative to the reader.
Inbound links from reputable sites inform search engines of relevance and trustworthiness.
These can bolster page rankings.
- Websites or blogs relevant to the content.
- Trade and industry associations.
Internet Marketing SEO by Content Quality
Content quality is subjective and dependant on the demographics of the typical reader. Research writing quality at: Reporting & Journalism, Reporting the Basics; Accuracy in Stories.
Men are more likely than women to get news, buy travel services, check sports scores, and participate in online auctions. Women are more likely than men to get health information, use support-group Web sites, and get information about spiritual and religious topics.
Young Internet users 18-29 are more likely to do research for school, use instant messaging, listen to music, use dating sites, and share files.
For detailed statistics, see www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0931238.html.
SEO to Make Money
To leverage the above five factors to maximize money, content should be written as the best quality copy. Refer to 10 Tips For Writing Effective Web Copy from WebProNews for advice on writing web copy.
Sources:
Janice Redish, Letting go of the words: Writingwebcontent that works, 1st edn., Elsevier/Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, 2007.
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