Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Techniques
In this section we are discussing search engine techniques defined by search engines and normally implemented by all webmasters. These techniques are not specific to any search engine but are core practices in search engine optimisation life cycle. If any one would be able to implement these techniques, in his/her website will get good rankings in all the search engines.
Design your website for common user, not for the search engines. If user will found your site informative and easy to use, user will come again and also refer other users, which ultimate leave long lasting effects. Now a day, search engines are looking for themes more preciously. Create contents, related to your domain subject and link pages with each other through anchor texting.
Title tags are most powerful SEO technique. You need to use title tag in a creative way. You should place exact keyword in your title tag that you are trying to optimise your page. Every single page in the website should have its unique title.
Experts have different opinions about the usage of Meta tags in a page. But as a best practise, it is good to use Meta tags (keywords and description). Meta tags still play an important role for the second biggest search engine, Yahoo.
Search engines can't read the text in images. So, alt tag is helping regarding this matter. If your website navigation is in images, you can use alt tags for telling search engines. Alt tags are almost considered in the same way as the text. Another use of alt tag, this could be use to elaborate the anchor text. Alt tag in anchor text only makes difference for Yahoo.
Link popularity is the most important and powerful aspect in the process of search engine optimisation. There are two types of link popularity, first is internal linking and second is backward linking. Internal linking is how pages in your website linked with each other and backward linking is how many websites are referring your website. If you don't have a backward link, most of the search engines will not consider your website. When creating link your keyword must appear in the anchor text. When you are exchanging link, check the site before linking with them especially check for spam.
Keyword density is, you should use keyword in title, heading tags, once in bold and once in bold and italic. Keyword density should be between 5% - 20%, don't exceed the 20%. Try to use your keyword, phrase in lower and upper case. Also use user keyword, phrase in Meta tags with different set of spellings.
Page size could also be a good factor in search engine optimisation. If page size is smaller, user will be able to see page quickly. Also search engine spider/robot will be able to crawl your page easily and quickly. Recommended page size is 15K.
Search Engine and Directory Placement, Paid Submission
When you have optimised your website, now you have to turn your attention towards the search engine placements. Submit your website to all major search engines, like Google, Yahoo, MSN etc. Also submit your site to different directories like DMOZ. Directories play an important role in increasing your page rank and link popularity. But be careful regarding the directories penalized by search engines or the directories using spam techniques.
You can also get backward links from good websites by writing articles and displaying articles with your website name. On internet give = take. If you are giving some thing good to some one, you will also get something in response.
Mentioning some best search engines and directories.
If you are in good financial conditions then you can use different paid inclusion programs. These are good for quick listings and indexing. Yahoo is one of the biggest names in the paid inclusion; basic site submission fee soared to $299. Now also other search engine companies are also following their own paid submission programs. By this way search engine companies can increase their revenue, for a fee they guarantee a quick listings. Paid inclusion is a good idea? May be, may not be!
Once upon a time, it was all free. But now you have to pay a certain amount to a directory, they will analysis your site and finally you get listed with directory. Some good directories take 4 - 5 months. Question rises, whether it is wothful or not? Yes, it is. If you are listed in Yahoo directory or LookSmart, it will eventually beneficial for your website. You also can buy a good quality link by paying a certain amount to a top ranking or prominent website.
Paid submission and placement have their advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage is, you will be listed in search engines but there is no guarantee that you will get good ranking. Cost is also an important factor in paid program, especially for the companies with limited resources. But paid inclusion is beneficial if you want that your website must be indexed after a week.
Even if your company has good financial resources to take the advantages of paid programs, it is still better that you should optimise your website. This will improve your ranking natural listings in search engine results.
by Imran Khan
Webmaster at SEO Bank Limited
