SEO is a very broad subject. I have read a lot about it from popular blogs and even beginners who aren’t ranking are writing about search engine optimization.
This has made ranking pretty difficult for bloggers and internet marketers. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with a little tweak to your blog, content and backlinks, you can be up in the homepage of Google in as little as 30 days, or less.
Yes, I have been optimizing web pages for the past 3 years, and I know what works with Google. Actually, not every thing but the core things that matters. As you read these 5 smart ways to improve your search engine ranking, make sure you’re ready to take action – that’s the difference between success makers and talkers.
1. Target Geographic Keywords
The first way to improve your search engine optimization, is to target geographic keywords. What does this mean?
Simple. Instead of researching keywords that have millions of competing web pages, you can drill down your research and focus on less competitive key terms. For instance, if you’re into weight loss niche, you know how competitive it is, even if you’re an SEO magician, you cannot rank for “weight loss” in the next 3 years.
So why waste time when you can easily rank for keywords that have the names of cities attached, the countries and even the streets. And guess what? People who search for geographic keywords are ready to buy. They are just looking for that push to take action.
So, target key terms like: weight loss clinic in new york, lose weight MD, weight loss US etc. You’ll easily rank on Google top 10 within 7 days. There are plenty of geographic keywords, use your research tools to dig them out.
2. Don’t Break Your Keywords
I see a lot of people break keywords, that would have yielded results. When visitors search for a particular term, they’ve a reason for doing so. You should stick with such terms and ensure that nothing is added or minused from it.
In fact, begin with the keyword, add it in your title and then use (-) to seperate and add additional words to improve the click-through rate. It’s very important that you abide by this simple rule, it can make or break your search engine optimization endeavors.
For example, if you’re targeting online shoppers, you should use keywords such as sittercity coupons, 6pm discount deals etc. People who search for these keywords are targeted and willing to buy. Just provide them a simple way to save some money.
3. Research And Write Quality Content
There is no alternative to quality content. Are you one of those who distribute spun contents all over the web, hoping to gain backlinks and traffic? You ain’t going anywhere unless you change your thinking, and concentrate on quality content.
I’ve never written any article that wasn’t researched. No matter the simplicity of what you want to write, make sure you know the latest trends related to that subject.
For those of us who are into blogging, you need to keep abreast with the recent developments in the web, especially the Google panda updates that’s being rolled out frequently. Being alive in the internet marketing world helps you to write quality content that Google loves.
When you please Google and any other good search engine, they would be forced to send you fresh targeted traffic, promote you to news portal and boost your pagerank.
4. Build Quality & Relevant Backlinks
Backlinks still remain the #2 criteria for ranking. The #1 criteria is quality content! The type of backlinks you should aim for must be unique, relevant and full of weight.
In the past few years, we all believe that 1000s of backlinks is great. But after Google rolled out their panda, the game is changed. Nowadays, it’s no longer the amount of backlinks you’ve acquired, buy the relevancy of those links.
Are you linking back from niche specific sites? Sites that treat the same topic as yours? Instead of writing articles and submitting to directories, like we were advised, look for niche sites and ask them to publish your work.
Off course you would be allowed to add a backlink on the author bio. The link you get would definitely be heavier than that of traditional directory submission.
5. Sharing Is Caring
Google and other search engines wants to know how relevant you are. In this context, how many people willingly shared your content with their friends, family and others on social networking sites. How many people personally bookmarked your web pages across their browsers?
This helps to determine how unique and informative your contents are. That is why Twitter marketing and Facebook sharing button must be a part of your marketing campaigns. But much more than that, you need to convince your blog readers to share your content.
How?
Write informative articles, in an interesting way. Get your readers relaxed, ask them questions within your posts and engage them. This way, they would learn new things and share with their friends.
Remember, sharing is caring. The ultimate goal of search engine companies is to make the web a better place, through written words. Be a part of it, share your content, win the hearts of others and improve your pagerank easily.
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ptaylor98 says
Great post. I particularly agree with #4 that quality backlinks are second only to good content in achieving high ranking. There are many who subscribe to “link farms” which offer hundreds of backlinks, but if they are not relevant or high-ranking themselves, they are worthless. Forums and website comments are more valuable, even though they take time and effort. SEO only pays off, however, if it’s logical and honest.
Michael Chibuzor says
Thanks Ptaylor for commenting. I’m glad my article helped you understand the essential of quality backlinks over quantity. It’s the best focus that guarantees google ranking.
Jen from LIME says
Thank you! This post confirms all the theories I have been developing about SEO. I have been focusing on quality links as opposed to quantity hoping that, since Panda, they would count for something. Your post gave me some validation.
Also, have you written any posts about SEO analytics? Next on my list is to start unraveling those mysteries.
Michael Chibuzor says
Hi Jen, the quality of your backlinks counts more than the quantity.
As for your question regarding SEO analytics, I haven’t written any
article on it. But I will do that this week. Either on my blog blast4trafficnow.net,
or right in techwalls.com
Maniyarasu says
Ever green article :) , Much required for new bloggers !!! thx bro :)
Karan Lugani says
It seems you’ve been in SEO field for quite a time now. But you know what, I still think its difficult to understand Google . It comes with great surprises and unique algorithms. I would agree on understand girls is easy than understanding Google :P . Hahaha..!!
John Ailen says
So knowlegeble article.after read it we can improve our result in SERP