One of the most underutilized linking practices that can help you move up in the SERPS is Internal Linking or links imbedded in copy which is also known as contextual links. The best link is one that serves multiple objectives thus leveraging the link value due to possessing as many desirable attributes as possible. Since we have complete control of our internal links it makes sense to fully take advantage of multiple feature or multi-purpose links to achieve synergy.
Linking relationships are a critical element needed for high performing websites. Both contextual links in the body of content and interconnecting internal pages can either make or break your web site success.
If your site has three main topics and you have numerous sub-pages associated with broad topic, then make sure to cross-link between all closely associated pages. One to three body of content links is enough -don't overdo internal linking or the human user experience will suffer and they'll abandon your site altogether.
A good site has a consistent design template layout along with a repetitive set of navigational links leading into primary internal pages. Search engines can distinguish between a navigational link (due to duplicate positioning residing on multiple pages of content) and other types of links that are more helpful to achieve your desired search engine marketing goals and objectives. Use your navigational links to get people to the right areas of your site so they can quickly locate content they’re looking for. Design-in links (ie. contextual links) in the body of content to direct visitors to other related-topic web pages or sub-pages.
There can be some overlap in link anchor text between the selected keywords for both the source and destination web pages which makes both pages more relevant. I always make sure that each web page has at least three body of content links, from other internal pages, pointing to them.
One good SEO practice is to always make your internal links absolute value links using the entire http://xxxxx format, versus using relative links having the shortened file extension only.
HTML Site Map and XML Site Maps
All web pages on a site should be listed on an HTML site map page. It is also SEO Best Practice to create an XML sitemap file which can be submitted to Google Webmaster Tools so your freshest content can be indexed immediately. Getting your web pages quickly indexed can help you be identified as the original content author in cases where others are copying or plagiarizing your content.
Showing posts with label search engine optimization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label search engine optimization. Show all posts
Monday, July 21, 2008
Four Steps for Search Engine Optimization
The four main interrelated areas of knowledge for search engine optimization are keyword research, content organization, search visibility, and linking relationships.
If your small business is seeking a Littleton, CO SEO Consultant we offer professional SEO Services along the Colorado Front Range.
Keyword Research
Extensive keyword research using analytical tools is the first step, taking into consideration how people search, search engines algorithms, your own site keyword objectives, and your competitors’ keywords.
Content Organization
It’s not only quality content but well organized content showing focus and emphasis that is needed. Think of a web page as an outline: title, meta data, and well organized paragraphs with relevant content supporting H tag headings. Blocks of content in paragraphs using appropriate emphasis is powerful and effective. Sometimes SEOs ignore the most basic and fundamental concepts.
Search Visibility
Search visibility is the intersection of links and content. You need inbound links, excellent internal linking (often underutilized as a technique), good site architecture, and well-organized content so the website has a natural flow of both links and content internally from web page to web page. Optimizing pages with keywords should pull in targeted search engine traffic, then it’s up to the web design to direct visitors towards the call to action –whether it is to fill in a form, complete a transaction, or pick up the phone and call. The end result of search visibility is targeted traffic matching your keyword plan, a great user experience with visitors staying on the site longer and visiting more and more pages, and a site that performs based upon its chosen keywords. Other topics that contribute to search visibility are site uptime and your robots.txt file.
Linking Relationships
You need inbound links, internal links, and outbound links connecting to the web. If a site has three broad topics with multiple web pages on each topic, the topical web pages should be cross-linked from within the body of content. Human visitors can handle about eight links per page easily, more than that can be confusing. You need planned anchor text links leading to your home page, but in addition for great search visibility and relevance you need deep links into your most important internal web pages.
If your small business is seeking a Littleton, CO SEO Consultant we offer professional SEO Services along the Colorado Front Range.
Keyword Research
Extensive keyword research using analytical tools is the first step, taking into consideration how people search, search engines algorithms, your own site keyword objectives, and your competitors’ keywords.
Content Organization
It’s not only quality content but well organized content showing focus and emphasis that is needed. Think of a web page as an outline: title, meta data, and well organized paragraphs with relevant content supporting H tag headings. Blocks of content in paragraphs using appropriate emphasis is powerful and effective. Sometimes SEOs ignore the most basic and fundamental concepts.
Search Visibility
Search visibility is the intersection of links and content. You need inbound links, excellent internal linking (often underutilized as a technique), good site architecture, and well-organized content so the website has a natural flow of both links and content internally from web page to web page. Optimizing pages with keywords should pull in targeted search engine traffic, then it’s up to the web design to direct visitors towards the call to action –whether it is to fill in a form, complete a transaction, or pick up the phone and call. The end result of search visibility is targeted traffic matching your keyword plan, a great user experience with visitors staying on the site longer and visiting more and more pages, and a site that performs based upon its chosen keywords. Other topics that contribute to search visibility are site uptime and your robots.txt file.
Linking Relationships
You need inbound links, internal links, and outbound links connecting to the web. If a site has three broad topics with multiple web pages on each topic, the topical web pages should be cross-linked from within the body of content. Human visitors can handle about eight links per page easily, more than that can be confusing. You need planned anchor text links leading to your home page, but in addition for great search visibility and relevance you need deep links into your most important internal web pages.
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