On Site Optimization: SEO Technique Cheat Sheet

On Site Search Engine Optimization is usually incorporated during the development of a new website. The specific methods used will vary from one developer to the next but the steps should be outlined in a Project Scope. Responsible website owners may prefer to oversee the processes used for on-site optimization during development and throughout maintenance

Since on-site optimization creates the foundation that your entire online presence is based on, it would be irresponsible to cut corners here! The following elements should be evaluated in depth.

Keywords

The most fundamental aspect of any SEO technique is determining the keywords (also known as “search phrases”) that you want to optimize for. They must be relevant (obviously) but the right keywords are also valuable—meaning there are actually people searching for those words or phrases. (Read more about choosing the right keywords.)

Once you’ve selected the best keywords, the rest of your on-site optimization is really quite simple.

strong>Behind the Scenes

• If possible and appropriate, include the most relevant target keyword in the URL of each web page
• In addition, each page should have a Meta Title Tag that is unique, contains the target keyword, and is less than 70 characters.
• The Meta Description Tag serves more for marketing purposes than a strict SEO benefit. This is the text that will display when each page is listed in search engine results as a description for that page… so it should be written to get clicks… but including a search phrase doesn’t hurt either!
• Don’t forget to include keywords in image alt tags as well.
• Including links from one web page to another page on your website is primarily useful as alternative navigation and to guide website users where you want them to go next. Using anchor text links (including keywords as the descriptive text in a hyperlink) also don’t hurt. However, don’t go link crazy! Google may penalize your website if there are too many links, even if they are all internal (linking to other pages on your own site) so use anchor links sparingly.

Front End

Always remember that the front end of your website should focus on human visitors first. SEO should be an element, but not the focal point. Using your keywords too many times, or forcing search phrases in awkwardly, results in web copy that is just plain terrible.

With that in mind, pay no attention to word count guidelines. If the message can be delivered clearly in 300 words, why add fluff to bring it up to 500? Click here to learn more about SEO content management.

• Do include keywords in the headline and sub-headers.
• Do include keywords in the first paragraph.
• Do not write about keywords. Write about topics that include keywords.
• If you are optimizing for a specific demographic region, include local keywords.
• Do include the ability for users to easily share your content with friends.