Search Engine Optimisation Tips & Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for search engine optimisation that you might find useful. Your site could be selling ice cream from Cornwall to a south west england client base, but remember there is a global market out there. Getting traffic based on meaningful search terms means profits, so here are some do's and don'ts.

• Content is king. Your home page should be full of genuine content relevant to your subject: text, links and images. Avoid using irritating 'splash pages' and those really, really annoying flash intros with "Enter Site" links that are so beloved of third rate graphic designers.
• Select the keywords that you think users will use in a search (don't pick just one word i.e. if you sell low cost golf accessories then try "low cost golf accessories" and "bargain golf equipment"); try and think like your customers. Make a list of keyword phrases and then use one of the many online tools to see how competitive your selected keywords are. If you are trying to compete on keywords/phrases that are highly sought after your work will be that much harder. Some of the tools will provide alternatives for you to consider. If your site is up and running check to see if it is returned by the major search engines on any of the search terms you want to target.
• Try and use your keyowrds in headings, text and links but don't overstuff the page. Most search engines take a dim view of this and you'll be consigned to the Google Gulag.
• When using dynamically generated pages (i.e. pages that are assembled from database content) watch out for long URL's. Use mod_rewrite and .htaccess files to allow Google to nice nice short URL's. URL rewriting is an art and you can use it to create virtual filenames and directory structures that reflect the search terms you are targetting.
• Wait until your site is ready before you submit it to search engines and directories. Never use an automated tool to submit to directories.
• When you do submit it check the rules for the search engines your are submitting to. If you use online or downloaded submission tools then watch out. Read the reviews and forum comments to avoid those that will end up getting your site removed or cast into Google Gulag for eternity. They'll also give your email address to marauding packs of spammers.
• If you get listed and no one clicks through then after a while the search engine crawler may no longer call round you might get dumped. The way to avoid this is to re-submit periodically or request their crawler to visit your site. Again, check the search engine rules and don't over do it.
• Get links to your site from other sites. The more important and relevant the linking site is the bigger the tick you'll get from the search engines. You can maximise the effect of links by getting the webmaster of the linking site to include your search terms in the link text. If content is king, then relevance is queen.
• Check your Google page ranking a couple of months after doing all the above. Anything over 4 is good. If you get 7+ then please send your CV to us!