This SEO tip moved my website 300 places on google.com.au
Some search engines will give words found in the “H1″ tag a boost in relevancy. The H1 tag is used to specify page or topic headings. The problem with the tag is that it’s often too big and ugly to use very much. In most browsers H1 is an oversized font that often looks out of place on a page.
The good news is that there is a clever way you can get the best of both worlds by using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). With CSS, you can specify that the browser display the H1 tag or other tags on your page anyway you please. This is great since you can get both a boost in relevancy and get better control of your page’s appearance in one easy step. How?
In the area of the page, put the following STYLE lines:
The above will force all H1 tags on the page to use a 12 pt Arial or Helvetica font in black text. You can adjust the point size or font to whatever values look best on your page. By using this CSS tag, you are free to use the H1 tag on ALL your pages to gain extra relevancy WITHOUT sacrificing the look of your pages. Since many engines give more weight to keywords that appear within H1 heading tags versus the regular body text, this is one tip you’ll definitely want to implement today!
or
H1 {
font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
font-size: 12pt;
color: #000000;
background-color: #ffffff;
}
or
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
color: #000000;
font-size : 12px;text-decoration: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;}
Showing posts with label SEO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEO. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Page Title SEO
You have your site all setup but no-one is visiting! That is where you need SEO - search engine optimization. You can pay money to a SEO expert but it is also possible to do it yourself, FREE.
There is much debate about whether the domain name should include one of your main keywords. I look at it as another little plus in our SEO plan. So if you have a domain name without one of your main keywords you can still use these tips.
We are using our other site www.zipposuperstore.com as an example.
So we have our three popular main keywords for our zippo store:
zippo lighters
zippo tricks
zippo collections
If you look closely all contain the word “zippo”. This is to make things easy when we look at off page ranking, which we will talk about in future blogs.
First thing we need to look at is the page title. The page title should only include our main keywords. Try not to use too many words as Google will give more weight to each of your keywords and you will rank higher.
Please, the page title should not say, “Welcome to our website”. Also do not use say ” zippo lighters and zippo tricks and zippo collections”. Though the last does contain our keywords it does looka little long.
So we will shorten it by doing this “zippo | zippo lighter tricks | collections. Notice We took out the “ands” and replaced them with a “|”. Also only used “zippo” twice for keyword densitity. When possible always combine your keywords to cut down on the total number of words used in your page title. When google looks at our title it will see all 3 of our keywords.
Next SEO blog we will look at ways to boost your ranks by nearly 300 pages by using one simple method.
There is much debate about whether the domain name should include one of your main keywords. I look at it as another little plus in our SEO plan. So if you have a domain name without one of your main keywords you can still use these tips.
We are using our other site www.zipposuperstore.com as an example.
So we have our three popular main keywords for our zippo store:
zippo lighters
zippo tricks
zippo collections
If you look closely all contain the word “zippo”. This is to make things easy when we look at off page ranking, which we will talk about in future blogs.
First thing we need to look at is the page title. The page title should only include our main keywords. Try not to use too many words as Google will give more weight to each of your keywords and you will rank higher.
Please, the page title should not say, “Welcome to our website”. Also do not use say ” zippo lighters and zippo tricks and zippo collections”. Though the last does contain our keywords it does looka little long.
So we will shorten it by doing this “zippo | zippo lighter tricks | collections. Notice We took out the “ands” and replaced them with a “|”. Also only used “zippo” twice for keyword densitity. When possible always combine your keywords to cut down on the total number of words used in your page title. When google looks at our title it will see all 3 of our keywords.
Next SEO blog we will look at ways to boost your ranks by nearly 300 pages by using one simple method.
Keyword SEO
We shall use our sister site www.zipposuperstore.com to show you how easy SEO is, and that it can be done free. Zipposuperstore.com is an Australian site, but these tips can be used globally. Australian customers are our main focus, so we will use the stats from Google.com.au for our main keyword, zippo. As of 18/01/08 there are 28,700,000 pages listed, so if we want to rank on the first page for this targeted keyword we need SEO. First thing you need to do is find which keywords are being searched for. The two keyword research tools we use are:
http://inventory.overture.com/ ( when it works )
and
http://tools.seobook.com/keyword-tools/seobook/index.php
Searching zippo on these sites, gives us these following most popular searched keywords: zippo, zippo lighters, zippo tricks and zippo lighter tricks. These are the keywords we want to target. But other searched for terms are collections, faqs and collectors, so we will want to use these keywords too. This will improve keyword densitity, which we will explain in future blogs.
Keywords of single words is useful to attract the general audience and helps in getting high ranks,if the web site is new. Keywords of single words should be used more in the root level pages or top level domain pages. This is because these pages are the ones that attract the general traffic & are generally the pages which do not specify specifics. Hence single word keywords based on themes can be targeted for on these pages.
Keywords of multiple words are useful to attract a targeted audience, therefore should be used topic wise for each page according to subject of that web page. Relevant set of Keywords should be use in Title tag, Header Tag, Meta tag, Body tag, Alt tag, Anchor tag, Comment tag and in the url of that specific web page. Use underscore or hyphen to differentiate Keywords. These keywords are normally targeted upon in deeper level or sub directory level pages.
Keywords based on theme is useful to attract targeted audience therefore they are strongly recommended to be used. Typically, although it is not a hard and fast rule but in theme based keyword we use general keywords in root level and uses specific keyword in directory level.
Overall one can safely say that in keyword targeting one uses a dart board strategy. Wherein the smallest circle attracts your core audience & hence should have theme oriented multiple word keywords. As we move up on the theme (dartboard) the circle ( traffic) tends to get larger & the keywords tends to get simpler( singular) even though they are theme based.
Keywords and keyphrases used in domain names & urls of directory pages is also a factor in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as well as it helps to inform the targeted audience, about the sites content. Therefore, special care should be exercised in choosing a domain name. All the search engines start reading each web page with its respective domain name.
Having said that, let me add that there is a raging debate amongst the seo community to determine the exact importance of keywords in the domain name. One camp believes that it is hugely important to have keywords in domain whereas the other maintains that brand building domain name is more important than keywords incorporating one.
When Keywords and Keyphrases are used in a Domain name then its called Keyword specific domain name. Keyword in the domain name to my mind has one advantage: It is better to have a keyword domain name for it is worth remembering that most of the people link to you using your URL. If your URL has the keyword or the keyphrase then you are automatically using the keyword in the very important anchor tag.
So please subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up to date with our SEO tips.
http://inventory.overture.com/ ( when it works )
and
http://tools.seobook.com/keyword-tools/seobook/index.php
Searching zippo on these sites, gives us these following most popular searched keywords: zippo, zippo lighters, zippo tricks and zippo lighter tricks. These are the keywords we want to target. But other searched for terms are collections, faqs and collectors, so we will want to use these keywords too. This will improve keyword densitity, which we will explain in future blogs.
Keywords of single words is useful to attract the general audience and helps in getting high ranks,if the web site is new. Keywords of single words should be used more in the root level pages or top level domain pages. This is because these pages are the ones that attract the general traffic & are generally the pages which do not specify specifics. Hence single word keywords based on themes can be targeted for on these pages.
Keywords of multiple words are useful to attract a targeted audience, therefore should be used topic wise for each page according to subject of that web page. Relevant set of Keywords should be use in Title tag, Header Tag, Meta tag, Body tag, Alt tag, Anchor tag, Comment tag and in the url of that specific web page. Use underscore or hyphen to differentiate Keywords. These keywords are normally targeted upon in deeper level or sub directory level pages.
Keywords based on theme is useful to attract targeted audience therefore they are strongly recommended to be used. Typically, although it is not a hard and fast rule but in theme based keyword we use general keywords in root level and uses specific keyword in directory level.
Overall one can safely say that in keyword targeting one uses a dart board strategy. Wherein the smallest circle attracts your core audience & hence should have theme oriented multiple word keywords. As we move up on the theme (dartboard) the circle ( traffic) tends to get larger & the keywords tends to get simpler( singular) even though they are theme based.
Keywords and keyphrases used in domain names & urls of directory pages is also a factor in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as well as it helps to inform the targeted audience, about the sites content. Therefore, special care should be exercised in choosing a domain name. All the search engines start reading each web page with its respective domain name.
Having said that, let me add that there is a raging debate amongst the seo community to determine the exact importance of keywords in the domain name. One camp believes that it is hugely important to have keywords in domain whereas the other maintains that brand building domain name is more important than keywords incorporating one.
When Keywords and Keyphrases are used in a Domain name then its called Keyword specific domain name. Keyword in the domain name to my mind has one advantage: It is better to have a keyword domain name for it is worth remembering that most of the people link to you using your URL. If your URL has the keyword or the keyphrase then you are automatically using the keyword in the very important anchor tag.
So please subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up to date with our SEO tips.
SEO Basic Tips #1
I look at a lot of sites on a daily basis. There are a lot of common problems I see on sites. Some people may have tags set-up improperly or use tags that have no real purpose. I have compiled a list of the 5 top do-it-yourself SEO errors. It’s safe to say that many do-it-yourselfers may have at least one of these errors on their sites. These should help you omit these often costly mistakes and pull you up in the ranks.
1) Keyword tag – A keyword tag is for keywords, but not for any keywords. You can’t just stuff this tag with keywords that your entire site is related to. The tags should reflect keywords only on that particular page; not the entire site and not every keyword you think your site might be searched on. Also, you should have no more then 20 words in the tag. You should not repeat any word more than 3 times. If you sell tickets, for example, don’t write: Broadway tickets, circus tickets, hockey tickets, boxing tickets and so on. Do use Broadway, circus, hockey, boxing, tickets and so on.
2) Abstract tag – It is sometimes used as a replacement for or combined with a description tag. However, more and more people are using these to stuff keywords. Search engines like Google are interested in what is on the page. More specifically, what visitors can view. In my opinion, the abstract tag has no place on a site.
3) Description Tag – The whole point behind this tag is to describe what the “page” is about. Keywords related to the page should be implemented as well. The limit on words should be 20 – 25. I see many website owners stuffing this tag with keywords, or having a description that is entirely too lengthy. Stay within these guidelines and you will be fine.
4) Title tag – This, to me, is the most important tag. This is the first tag the search engine reads. It tells the search engine what the” page” is about. Don’t put your web address here. Do not add your company name in the beginning of this tag either. It should not exceed 60 characters.
5) Content- If you notice, I have been commenting on relevancy to the “page”, not your overall site. Each page has it’s own keywords. Tag the title tag, description and keyword tags. All of these keywords should be the same. Add them to your content as well. Now your page should be fairly well optimized.
Why do sites fall short? Simple, content is not optimized. Search engines are, for the most part, pretty basic. You type in a search term and it retrieves sites containing those terms while also taking a few other factors into account. So, if your site doesn’t have these terms, how will you be found? You won’t. Over do it with keywords and you will experience the same result, but for different reasons. Sometimes reading everything about SEO can be bad. Trying too many tricks, tips or methods is like too many cooks spoiling the soup. In the end they can do more bad than good. These are very basic rules that should be followed by all. In, doubt? Always consult or hire an SEO professional.
1) Keyword tag – A keyword tag is for keywords, but not for any keywords. You can’t just stuff this tag with keywords that your entire site is related to. The tags should reflect keywords only on that particular page; not the entire site and not every keyword you think your site might be searched on. Also, you should have no more then 20 words in the tag. You should not repeat any word more than 3 times. If you sell tickets, for example, don’t write: Broadway tickets, circus tickets, hockey tickets, boxing tickets and so on. Do use Broadway, circus, hockey, boxing, tickets and so on.
2) Abstract tag – It is sometimes used as a replacement for or combined with a description tag. However, more and more people are using these to stuff keywords. Search engines like Google are interested in what is on the page. More specifically, what visitors can view. In my opinion, the abstract tag has no place on a site.
3) Description Tag – The whole point behind this tag is to describe what the “page” is about. Keywords related to the page should be implemented as well. The limit on words should be 20 – 25. I see many website owners stuffing this tag with keywords, or having a description that is entirely too lengthy. Stay within these guidelines and you will be fine.
4) Title tag – This, to me, is the most important tag. This is the first tag the search engine reads. It tells the search engine what the” page” is about. Don’t put your web address here. Do not add your company name in the beginning of this tag either. It should not exceed 60 characters.
5) Content- If you notice, I have been commenting on relevancy to the “page”, not your overall site. Each page has it’s own keywords. Tag the title tag, description and keyword tags. All of these keywords should be the same. Add them to your content as well. Now your page should be fairly well optimized.
Why do sites fall short? Simple, content is not optimized. Search engines are, for the most part, pretty basic. You type in a search term and it retrieves sites containing those terms while also taking a few other factors into account. So, if your site doesn’t have these terms, how will you be found? You won’t. Over do it with keywords and you will experience the same result, but for different reasons. Sometimes reading everything about SEO can be bad. Trying too many tricks, tips or methods is like too many cooks spoiling the soup. In the end they can do more bad than good. These are very basic rules that should be followed by all. In, doubt? Always consult or hire an SEO professional.
Basic SEO
You can achieve high rankings and even have your website listed on pages 1 or 2 on Google for your main keywords simply by applying certain rules.
The one i think about most is… How can i help the search engines provide relevant search results!
While I am far from being an Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) expert, i am just sharing experiences here, I’ve achieved some fantastic results by following these basic rules and without resorting to any ‘tricks’. More importantly, these are rankings that will last.
Please i am not suggesting you shouldn’t learn about SEO or use genuine search engine optimization software that helps, you should. But as usual i will try do this all free, as i have done on our site and will show you links to the websites we use for our search engine optimization a bit later.
You do not need to spend any money on SEO ebooks or other programmes when it is all available on the net free!
SEO can be done FREE, it just takes a little time and patience.
Sometimes SEO can even be fun, especially when i am spying on our competiors to see what they are doing.
Here are our rankings for our some of our main keywords
Google.com.au as of 28/12/01
zippo: rank 7 out of 28,600,000
zippo lighters: 3 out of 139,000
zippo tricks: 11 out of 42,500
zippo lighter tricks: 14 out of 36,500
zippo collections: 2 out of 147,000
On google.com
zippo: 42 out of 28,600,000
zippo lighters 18 out of 137,000
zippo tricks: 15 out of 42,600
zippo lighter tricks: 11 out of 36,800
zippo collections: 7 out of 147,000
While these are not exactly earth shattering results i think it’s not a bad effort for a first time website and done totally FREE. In the next few blogs i will be revealing all my secrets.
So please, check back and let me know your opinion on our SEO tips, how these tips have worked for you or maybe let us know about your search engine optimization tips
The one i think about most is… How can i help the search engines provide relevant search results!
While I am far from being an Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) expert, i am just sharing experiences here, I’ve achieved some fantastic results by following these basic rules and without resorting to any ‘tricks’. More importantly, these are rankings that will last.
Please i am not suggesting you shouldn’t learn about SEO or use genuine search engine optimization software that helps, you should. But as usual i will try do this all free, as i have done on our site and will show you links to the websites we use for our search engine optimization a bit later.
You do not need to spend any money on SEO ebooks or other programmes when it is all available on the net free!
SEO can be done FREE, it just takes a little time and patience.
Sometimes SEO can even be fun, especially when i am spying on our competiors to see what they are doing.
Here are our rankings for our some of our main keywords
Google.com.au as of 28/12/01
zippo: rank 7 out of 28,600,000
zippo lighters: 3 out of 139,000
zippo tricks: 11 out of 42,500
zippo lighter tricks: 14 out of 36,500
zippo collections: 2 out of 147,000
On google.com
zippo: 42 out of 28,600,000
zippo lighters 18 out of 137,000
zippo tricks: 15 out of 42,600
zippo lighter tricks: 11 out of 36,800
zippo collections: 7 out of 147,000
While these are not exactly earth shattering results i think it’s not a bad effort for a first time website and done totally FREE. In the next few blogs i will be revealing all my secrets.
So please, check back and let me know your opinion on our SEO tips, how these tips have worked for you or maybe let us know about your search engine optimization tips
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