Phone Me!Services > Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
In the long term, you will want to ensure that your website comes on the first page of search engine results for your chosen keywords.
You've undoubtedly heard the words 'keywords' or 'keyword phrases' bandied about. What do they mean?
Words and phrases in the text of your web page should match the words and phrases that people use on the search engines.
What's more, these words and phrases should read in the context of the whole page and relate directly to what the searcher is looking for.
Keyword analysis and web page copy writing are what most people think of when they hear the expression, 'Search Engine Optimisation' or SEO.
SEO is about writing and fine-tuning the words on your web pages to grasp the attention of visitors to your website. If visitors to your website find your copy easy to read and understand, then the odds are that the search engines find it so too. How else would the search engines have found you?
But there's lots more to it than that. Is your website actually optimised? Start with this checklist:
- Do all your pages have web titles?
- Are the web page titles different for each page?
- Have you included meta-descriptions?
- Do your pages use headings?
- Do the images have 'alt' tags which describe the images?
- Does the anchor text of the links on your page accurately point to where the links go?
- Does the url of your page (the file name that appears in the web address box of your browser) accurately reflect the subject of your page?
- Do your titles, descriptions and web page copy have the appropriate number of words?
- Do you have a blog which you use to update your website content regularly?
Why blog? Not only does blogging give you an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, it also reassures Google that your website remains active.
Browse the tools listed on the right to find out just a sample of what's out there to help you, mostly for free.
And note Google's advice: No one can guarantee the number 1 spot on Google.
Links
Google takes notice of who links to your website and who you link to. If a highly ranked organisation links to you, you share in Google's assessment of their page ranking. The more the number of links from relevant, trustworthy websites that you have, the higher Google will rank your website.
Getting good links and giving good links is very desirable. But it takes time and a lot of personal input, writing to other website owners and establishing a relationship with them.
Beware of software companies and SEO merchants who promise that automated link building will immediately boost your Google rankings. Google classifies that sort of behaviour as spamming.
SEO requires someone with sound understanding of the principles and concise copywriting skills. If you want someone to advise and train you, or you don't have the time and would like someone to do your SEO for you, call me now on +44 (0)1509 650 759
Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Paying for advertising on the search engines is the quickest way to get your website noticed. Google Adwords is the most used service in the UK.
However, once you stop advertising, your visibility on the web also stops. Your long-term strategy should be to achieve higher rankings through SEO.
I do not currently offer a ppc service. When you choose someone to carry out ppc advertising for you, make sure that person or company has up-to-date qualifications from Google Adwords Centre.
