Google Webmaster Tools: Know your keywords

Google Webmaster: Keywords
Google Webmaster tools let you know what top keywords your website is ranked for. For example, when someone searches “Online marketing Detroit,” my site is the second listed. This tool is free.

This is helpful in better understanding how your website is optimized for search engine visibility. There is no voodoo in search engine optimization (SEO), there is only techniques and metrics.

Log into your webmaster tools frequently, as Google’s search engine algorithms (how it determines where you’re ranked) changes often.

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13 Search Engine Optimization Tips for Web Content

No one but the search engine owners know the exact algorithms used to return search findings. However, there are things you an do to increase the of your content being found. What’s “content?” Content is the images, copy, and other elements published on your website.

And we’re off!

13 Search Engine Optimization Tips for Web Content

1. Headlines
Headlines are often an afterthought, but are definitely critical in engaging readers. Readers chose their content based on engaging headlines, and notice them based on relevant keywords.

2. Fresh, hot content!
Your husband may not notice a new hair cut, but Google will notice new content. Each time your website or blog updated, a new or updated Google listing is created. This increases your visibility! (Fresh content exemplified in image.)

3. Keywords in content
The key to not making this spammy or awkward is to ONLY use relevant, appropriate keywords. If you have done a keyword analysis, you know which phrases and wording those searching for you are using. Phrase these words in your content as those who are searching for you do.

Example– Keyword: “garden supplies”; your content includes “gardening supplies and tips.” You may want to re-word it to accommodate the singular form (“garden”) instead (“garden supplies and tips”).

If you’re not comfortable doing this, don’t stress. Chances are you’re doing it organically (without realizing) anyway. (more…)

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I’m a professional skimmer–and a believer that if the subject is REALLY important, then-and only then-it’ll be read. (I’ll read about how to better my business online, but will skim the Top 10 Strangest Lego Creations.) However, it’s important to use content for search optimization (SEO), so it shouldn’t be eliminated. In fact, there are a few ways you can make both (your readers and the search engines) happy.

1. Headline the important stuff. None of those ambiguous headlines, either. Plug in your keywords and make it start working for you.

2. Directly address your audience. If your prospect is Sarah Palin, mom of 5: make sure that’s obvious. Of course, if your prospect is Sarah Palin, republican VP runmate for 2008, that’s quite a different audience. Use direct language to specify your voice (rather than the general “women” (or whoever) blanket).

3. Link to supporting content. If I were blogging today about great web designers or a rockstar advertising agency, I’d make sure you had a place to get more information. ;)

4. Include expert opinions, cite and link to them. I’m continuously looking for new ways to further develop my social media business strategies for clients. I use resources, such as Chris Brogan, and build on their information with my own research and thoughts. Seeding my thought there requires some citation, so sending the link love that way is not only appropriate, but provides a frame of reference.

5. Be concise. I’ve said it before, but I’ll (ironically) say it again. That’s all I’ll say about it, to be concise of course.

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What Organic SEO Means for your Content

Organic SEO refers to the keywords found within your web content. Search engines, like Google, pick up on these terms and lists them within search criteria–without you paying Google to do so.

So, for example, if I were selling/informing/teaching about bicycles on my blog, I might drop in a few popular search terms (bolded):

Cycling products and accessories for mountain, road, triathlon, along with comfort, cruiser and children’s. (Taken from an actual Google hit)

The problem with supersaturating your content with keywords is that you’ll be flagged quickly. Choose a few words/terms to include that best describe your content and let the search enginges do the rest.

Using the keywords within your content isn’t all that is important. Google and other search engines employ complicated, secret methods on weighting the importantance of your terms. Such as bolding, linking, headling, titling, metatagging, and more.

There are a ton of scammers out there who will tell you they can improve your search engine ranking. Make sure to throughoughly investigate anyone you hire for web development. Check their portfolio and call their references.

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