Internet Marketing Strategies, Resources, Tips & Advice

Smart internet marketing can include lots of different marketing methods but it should always start with good web page optimization strategies.  Remember, the search engines don't rank websites they rank pages. 

While it's not feasible to delve into the bowels of search engine algorithms, there are two basic web page optimization factors that play key roles in optimizing your site. They are typically referred to as on-page optimization and off-page optimization

On-page optimization refers to the elements of your web page that you can optimize yourself while off-page optimization refers to the elements of linking and how your link partner sites link to you.

Let's discuss each of them…

On-page optimization (website strategies)

Each page of your web site should have its own descriptive title tag, description tag and keywords. The keywords tag is seldom used anymore; however each page should be optimized for a maximum of 3 keywords or key phrases, preferably sticking to only one or two keywords per page.

Find your BEST keyword or Keyword Phrases
This is where it all starts and it's really important to get this right.  Use a good keyword tool like Wordtracker or Keyword elite.  I like to use them both for a more comprehensive keyword gathering but either way, get in the habit of researching the keywords that best describe each page of your site.  Don't really worry too much about the KEI (keyword index), simply look for the keywords that accurately describe what your page is about and that have at least some daily count.

For example, using a key phrase like 'running shoes' has a daily count of 652 which is quite good, however the key phrase 'running shoes for big women' has a smaller daily count but it is much more descriptive and niche focused.   You may get fewer visitors using that key phrase but the information on that page is more likely to give the viewer what they are looking for and therefore more apt to produce a sale.  Do you see the difference?

Your Title Tag
The Title tag of each page of your site is where the search engines look to find out what your page is about.  The title tag should clearly summarize your page, if it wanders off of what your page is truly about, the search engines won't like it.  I also find it very helpful to include a 'benefit' in your title tag.  So after reading your webpage, is there a benefit that your page is demonstrating?  If there is, include it in your title. And of course be sure your title tag contains your best keyword or keyword phrase. 

Use header tags (h1, h2…)
Within the body of your page text use header tags to structure your content. Search engines look for structure and organization.
Using header tags indicates good outline form. The search engines will always favor a nice outline form as opposed to a bad one.

Make your keyword or keyword phrase stand out.
At least once within your web page, italicize, bold and underline your keyword or key phrase.

Use keyword alt tags
The search engines cannot read or index images or graphics so in order to describe an image used on your page you must use 'alt' tags to allow the search engines to recognize them.

Be sure not to stuff your alt tags with useless information or more than one keyword.  Use your best keyword or keyword phrase only once. Here's an example of how to use an alt tag for your graphic.

<img src="house.gif" alt="big house">

Include "Quality" content
Use informative, unique, quality content on each page and keep your content fresh and updated. This is why blogs work so well.  They allow you to easily add content on a daily basis, but what's even better is they allow your viewers to add their content as well, keeping your site content rich and unique.

Pepper each page of your site with your best keywords
Use your main keyword or keyword phrase in the first paragraph of your page, then use it again in the last paragraph and sprinkle it only once in between. I don't recommend using it any more than that.  If you do, your content will be compromised. 

To help avoid over-using your keywords, use forms of your keyword.  For example, if your best key phrase is “women's running shoes” use phrases within your text like run, runners, shoe, athletic footwear, ladies, woman.  

Cross link each of your site pages
The best way to cross link pages is by placing a navigation bar on each and every page.  Be sure the title of each page contains what the page is about. For example, if a page is about "jewelry beads," the page name should be "jewery-beads.html" or 
"jewelry_beads.html" and all the text links to that page should be named 'jewelry beads'. Here's an example of how to set up text links:
 
<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/jewelry-beads.html">jewelry beads</a> 
or
<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/jewelrybeads.html">jewelry beads</a> 
                                 
Create a site map 
Site maps act like a table of contents. They help search engines (and people too) find, crawl and index all the pages in a website ensuring that no page is left behind. Your site map should be accessible on each page of your website.
 

Off page optimization (linking strategies)

Linking plays a huge part in the optimization of your site, so don't just link to any site.  You should adopt a methodology in obtaining useful, quality links. Here are a few tips:

Keep your links relevant
There are several schools of thought here and some will say that linking to relevant sites isn't always necessary.  Here's the thinking — A link to my site from a high ranking site no matter what the topic, is a good link. Maybe this is true, however what linking to relevant sites does for you is it promotes targeted visitors to your site.  Getting a front page link from Walmart to my internet marketing site may help my ranking but would anyone click on my link from the Walmart site, probably not.  Additionally, would Walmart link to my site, I don't think so.  Most quality, well-established sites like to keep links relevant.

On the other hand, my link on a relevant, popular internet marketing site will probably products clicks to my site because my site is relevant to internet marketing, viewers will be interested in it.  This has proven a much better strategy for me.   

Keep Links Gradual
Links should be slow and gradual.  A sudden burst of links appearing on lots of web pages all at once could indicate spam to a search engine.

The higher the page rank, the better
This doesn't mean you shouldn't link to pages with a low page rank, however the higher the page rank of the page your link is located on the better it is for you.

The title of the page your link is on should be something other than 'links.html'.  If possible try to ensure it has some relevance in meaning to your site.  You can do this by asking the individual you are exchanging links with to name their links pages accordingly.  If that's not possible, then find sites that do name their links pages.

Use Good Anchor text
When exchanging links, or using article exchanges, be sure to submit your best keywords in the anchor text within your link exchange.  Here's an html example of what to submit when exchanging links:

<a href="http://www.yoursite.com" target="_new">Your Best Keyword phrase</a> - Description of your website including your keyword phrase once again.

When using articles, include a compelling resource box that also includes the following: 

<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/"> Your Best keyword phrase </a> Your site description.

Use Quality Website builders
Use site builders that incorporate features that make use of the above suggestions.  Site builders such as Xsitepro or Site Build It! effectively use on-site and off-site web page optimization as well as additional search engine optimization techniques that boost your site's ranking.  Additionally using Web 2.0 technology such as Wordpress blog builders are also a perfect way of pleasing the search engines and getting top ranking.

Tags:   site build it · web page optimization · xsiteproNo Comments