Search Marketing Blog


Three Simple Search Engine Optimization Tips

Bike Ride

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the Monster Cookie Metric Century Bicycle Ride organized by the Salem Bicycle Club.  Towards the end of the ride I ended up meeting a few of the other riders.  After some small talk, one of the riders asked me what I do for a living.  To my surprise, the rider had heard of search engine marketing and even search engine optimization (SEO).  His knowledge was a bit misguided (the majority of his SEO experience involved Meta tags) but he was eager to learn more.   The rider went on to ask me what three items I think are most important to optimizing a Web site.  The following was my answer:

  1. Conduct Keyword Research - This one is so simple.  Research the keywords that people are actively using, which are relevant to your business, and incorporate them into your site.  There are several tools that can help you out with this including WordTracker, Keyword Discovery, and Google Adwords.
  2. Write Content Based On Your Keyword Research - This one is a no-brainer as well. Write useful, compelling content around the keywords identified during your keyword research. You don’t need to worry about how many times you use your keywords, or even where you use them.  Just write good content based on your keywords.
  3. Write Fresh Content Regularly - Not everyone realizes the importance of this one.  The search engines like fresh relevant content.  So, try to write new content frequently and regularly.  A blog is a great tool for this.

That’s it. That’s all I said.  I could have gone into title tags, duplicate content or link building, but I didn’t.  Why?  Because I believe that keyword research and great content are the foundation of a properly optimized site.  With that said, what do you think are the three most important things a beginner can do to optimize their site?

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3 Responses to “Three Simple Search Engine Optimization Tips”

  • Krumpet 05.14.2008 at 10:46 am

    Cool post. Great insight into why SEO + PR + Copywriting = Good SEM Team.

    Regarding what other advice to give to beginners, since you’re already recommending keyword research (right on!), why not leverage that information to help write unique, keyword focused h1 and title tags? That would be my advice.

  • Kent Schnepp 05.14.2008 at 10:52 am

    @Krumpet -

    Great points! Title tags are arguable the most important on-page SEO element. Thanks for the comment!

  • seo specialist 05.15.2008 at 5:16 am

    hey

    Really nice tips!

    will try to keep it in my mind

    thanks!


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