Tip 21 - What is Really Important for SEO

Firstly what is SEO, it stands for Search Engine Optimisation and it is simply the tasks involved in trying to improve your website ranking in the search engines. It is normally concerned with such activities as analysing on page text, checking site for validation, getting links and a whole lot of other stuff to get more people to your website.

It has often been said that one of the most important things to have on your site is such things as a relevant title, your chosen keywords within certain types of tags, and a great amount of linking sites to your website.

The following is a list of things that are no longer as important as they once were in getting good search engine ranking.

1. Keywords in Bold or H tags i.e (H1, H2) It is now not as important to have your chosen keywords shown on your website in highligt or bold tags. The search engines are now not as concerned about your website showing text highlighted on the page.
2. Lots of sites linking to your website It is now not that important to get lots of links to your website, it is a lot better to get relevant links to your website, although even this will not longer make a lot of difference to your search engine rankings. It will however drive traffic to your website that is relevant, and this means the people following these links may buy your product or sign up for your list, or what ever you wish.
3. Meta Tags Meta tags such as description, keywords are no longer relevant in order to gain search engine placement, and this is to the point that some engines dont read them at all. They are still a good idea as it give your site content and allows the browsers to know more about your website.

So you may be saying to yourself if I can't play with my keywords and can't have them bold on my page, and the millions of links I have dont mean anything. Well what does?

The thing to remember is that your website is not meant for the search engines, the design, layout and wording is aimed at your audience. So when ever you work on your website keep in mind that it is an internet user that will use your website, after all they see it in a way that the search engines don't. Make a point of writing good content, and in the process of writing good content, by good I mean good for your topic, you will actually create a site that has lots of nice keywords in it. Without trying too hard to create the content for the search engines.

As for sites linking to your website, it is more important to have a few relevant links than lots of irrelevant ones. This achieves a two fold result, one the search engines look better on this as they see your are not just spamming your website across the internet and secondly you will get traffic to your website without the need for any search engine traffic. After all if someone is on a news article and your site shows up and they click on the link then you get a relevant visitor to your website, then the search engines look at this incoming link in high regard. So when you are trying to get links to your website, try to get high ranking relevant sites to link to you. News and TV website are always a safe bet, but also harder to get links from. That way you not only get people to your website who are interested in your topic, but you also gain an increased position in the search engines.

So in short, the best way to make sure your website is optimised for the search engines is to make sure you do the following.

1. Write and Design you website with the visitor in mind. This includes the website copy / text as well as layout and design.
2. Try to get incoming links that are from relevant and respected sources, such as local newspaper, TV, radio or any other website that is seen as an authority on your subject.

But the main point to take away from this article is the "Website Copy is Key to getting better search engine ranking"

Are you making the most out of your website. The answer will most definately be no. Ask for a FREE report now. Go to www.potissimus.co.uk for more info.

Tip 20 - Design over Substance

Ok so how often have you been to a website and thought, what a nice looking site only to find the site navigation hard to use, or the website just not functioning. Unfortunately this an all too common problem. It is mainly due to websites being designed and not developed. This means that too many website have taken design over substance and ended up with a poor website.

Let me explain if you take your home as an example. When your house was built it was first designed by an architect, they decided which doors lead to where, how many rooms there are, where the walls are and so on. It was not designed by an interior designer, as they would come in after the house was built and add the nice finishing touches, after all on the inside your house is nothing more than bricks and mortar.

So how does this fit with your website? Simple, behind the scenes your website is nothing more than a bunch of code (the bricks and mortar) that holds it all together and makes it work in the way you want it to. to see this in action click on the view menu at the top of your browser and select the option for source or page source. It does not matter if you dont understand what you see, you just need to remember that this is all the internet sees of your site. Whether you are searching on a search engine or looking at your site in your browser.

When you are looking at your website, or thinking of getting it redesigned or a new one designed, make sure you go to the right people at the right time. The place to start is with a Technical Architect, they will make sure your site is designed and developed just how you want it and that it will all fit together and work like a charm.

There are lots of agencies out there who do great designs, they also tend to off a lot of offline designs too such as leaflets, popsters, logos, etc. They may be able to make you website look great but due to the fact they are designers your site will lack the necessary functionality that comes with being a website.

So remember this simple lesson, when getting your current website redone or a new one built, start as you would for your home, get the functionality designed by a Technical Architect. Avoid using one of the many companies who also do offline designing (leaflets, brochures, etc) as they will only sub-contract parts of your website out to someone who can do the coding side. All of which will cost you more, where as if you start with a Technical Architect they will make sure you get the right people for the job from day one, and this will save you money in the long run.

If this all leaves you wondering where to start, please feel free to visit my website Potissimus.co.uk or drop me an email sean.connolly@potissimus.co.uk and I will do my best to guide you through this internet driven world.

Are you making the most out of your website. The answer will most definately be no. Ask for a FREE report now. Go to www.potissimus.co.uk for more info.