Before we get to the SEO tips…

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are fields of online marketing that should first and foremost be focused on the customer or potential customer visiting your website.

A site that generates a ton of traffic from search engines is ineffective if that hard-earned traffic doesn’t convert into buying customers. A visitor could enter your site directly through the home page or through any of your secondary pages by clicking on a search result.

Are your secondary pages getting the same attention as your home page?

Is there a call to action on each and every page – relevant to the user journey through your site?

Carefully considered usability, content architecture, web design and a focus on website conversion will result in your web traffic converting into customers.

Free Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) tips:

This is your basic SEO checklist:

• Have patience. Search engines cannot be told when to index your site or to change your rankings – although there is much you can do to influence how your site is perceived by search engines. Remember that you may have to wait anywhere from 3 to 12 months before you start seeing results
• Self-SEO is your secret weapon. Although using a consultancy like SEO Success to help you get started, you are responsible for the SEO of your site. Learn all that you can about SEO
• Don’t be evil. If it’s Google’s motto, it should be your’s too. Don’t use “blackhat” SEO techniques to try and “fool” the search engines. Not sure what this means? Find out and hire a trustworthy SEO consultancy – who won’t end up getting you banned by search engines
• Are you ready to measure up? Implement web analytics as soon as your site goes live so that you can measure the results of your SEO efforts
• Do you have a site map? Have you submitted it to the search engines?
• Your URLs should be search engine friendly to make it easier for your pages to be indexed
• Don’t use Flash exclusively – you need to give search engines something to read and at the moment no search engine reads Flash files properly
• Avoid using frames in your site design
• Anchor text in the links to each page should contain keywords related to the content of the page (not simply “Click Here” or “Find out more”)
  
• Use unique meta data on each page (title, description and keywords)
• Do proper keyword research for your niche before you start building your site so that you can implement logical and optimal content architecture
• Used carefully, pay per click advertising can get you instant visibility in the search engines. In the wrong hands, however, PPC can become very expensive very quickly
• Write well. Visitors to your site don’t want to read boring reams of content stuffed full of keywords – if your pages are well constructed and provide meaningful information (and links to related information on your site) the search engines will love you
• Unique content. Don’t duplicate your content or copy content from anywhere else. Keep it fresh and original
  
• Watch your link profile. Don’t go on a link buying spree and expect that your rankings will increase or you won’t get banned. Unscrupulous link brokers will sell you links without a concern for your site’s reputation. Natural, organic link growth is the key – not tons of links from dodgy directories.
• Harness the amazing power of social bookmarking, ePR and social communities to create a buzz about your site. Create viral campaigns that will get people talking about your brand.

Keep your ear to the ground and understand the latest trends in the world of search engines. Stay on top of developments and your site will continue to do well.