5 Basics for Climbing the Search Engine Ladder

There are a ton of ways you can build your email list. Increasing your visibility with search engines can be an effective way to drive traffic to your site, helping you to increase your list size. We do a ton of Search Engine marketing here at VerticalResponse. I asked our two resident experts John and Alf, what are the 5 EASY, QUICK and FREE things you can do to help your site rise in the rankings with your keywords. This is BASIC stuff so if you've got more to add, we'd love to hear them.

1. Reciprocal Linking - Ask other sites to link to yours. Each time one does your "link popularity" goes up when Google checks on you. Reciprocal Linking can pay off. If you've got a list of customers who have websites that fit nicely with your message, send an email asking them to link to you. Remember though that all links are not created equally - stick with legitimate sites.

2. Keywords Analysis - What search terms do your target customers use when looking for products or services you sell? Many businesses don't understand how people use search, and because of that miss out on opportunities. For instance, the more specific a user's search is, typically the more ready they are to purchase. So, a consumer searching for 'Napa Cabernet Sauvignon' is more likely to be in the buying mode than a consumer searching for 'wine'.

3. Keyword Density - Once you've compiled a focused keyword list, select one or two that are most relevant for each main page on your website, and make sure to use those exact terms within the text of your page. For instance, if 'Small Business Marketing' is a keyword for your business, use that exact phrase within a sentence or two: 'Small business marketing resources by 'your company name here'.  Try to use it in a headline or hyperlink if possible, as the search engines give those more weight. 

4. Clean Code - Make sure your code up to snuff. Got broken links, problems with your HTML? This causes search engine crawlers to stop dead in their tracks. Validate your code. Regularly check your code if you're changing your code a bunch. Try the WC3 tools, they're free and easy to use.

5. Title Tag - The title tag shows up as text in that area at the top of your web browser. It's called a title tag because its use is to communicate what that page is about. So, using your keyword analysis, place your most relevant keyword phrase at the beginning of the title tag. 'Organic Ice Cream from 'Your Company Name'.

Alf says: there are few guarantees in search engine marketing, HOWEVER there is one solid one. Don't be sneaky. For instance, if you 'stuff' keywords your home page or include invisible text (white text on a white background), the search engines will inevitably find out and you'll find yourself at the bottom of the list instead of the top.

Next step? Make sure you include an opt-in form on your site to collect email addresses from all of your new visitors!

Comments

[Dianne Crampton]

Loved this article. Would like to know if I can get an opt-in code that appears as a box for my e-mail signature for all my e-mail correspondence.
Please advise.

[Shams]

Thanks for the five tips. It helped me understand some basic things in seo for any website. Best regards.

[Vikram Narayan]

Terrific stuff. We'll make sure to print out this entry and follow up on the items. I like it because it is concise and straight-forward.

[Manny]

thanks for giving us a step by step example for the mystifying art of SEO. I have already begun using your technique and hope to gain great results.