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Jennifer Mattern

Guide to Improving Your Web Site Ranking

How to use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to bolster your site

By Jennifer Mattern, Freelance Writer / Editor / PR Firm Owner, J.H. Mattern Communications

When potential customers search the Web for products and services you provide, you want to make sure that your Web site show up – if not on top, at least in the running. Few users are going to scroll through page after page to find your business so you've got to master the art of boosting a business Web site ranking, a process known as search engine optimization or SEO.

There are a number of ways you can "optimize" your site to gain a more favorable position. Improving your Web site rankings can:

  1. Drive more traffic to your site
  2. Build awareness about your company
  3. Add credibility
  4. Increase sales

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Provide quality content with effective keyword phrases

Choosing the best keyword phrases, and including them in your content, is one of the most important aspects of SEO. Keywords should be used in page titles and the site description in your META tags as well.
I recommend: Use tools such as Overture to choose keywords.Enter a keyword in the tool to find out how often the phrase is searched and to receive a list of similar keyword phrases and their own search rankings.

Increase relevant incoming links

The number of incoming links helps search engines determine how "important" your website is when determining site rankings. The biggest key here is that incoming links should actually be relevant to your content.Links from generic sites like directories don't carry the same weight in search engine rankings. Also, it's always more valuable to receive one-way incoming links, rather than having reciprocal links (or a link exchange).
I recommend: IncomingLinks.com provides a listing of niche-specific directories and tips on approaching sites while trying to build incoming links.

Submit your site to search engines and directories

You can't rank well in search engines if you're not listed there in the first place. Most search engines will "spider" your site on their own (find your pages through incoming links and internal links), and index them. If your site has been live for a while and still hasn't been indexed, at least submit your URL to the major search engines and directories.
I recommend: Submit your URL to Google, Yahoo! and MSN.

Get help

Monitoring your search engine rankings and adapting your strategy when search engines implement new algorithms to determine rankings can be very time consuming. If you run a major Web Site, or you simply don't want to handle the task yourself, get help.
I recommend: If you have a small Web Site, you may be able to get by with a software program, such as Web Position Gold. You can opt to hire a full-time employee or contract the work out to an SEO firm such as Fathom SEO. You can find many SEO professionals in the SEO Consultants Directory.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Submit your site to search engines and directories if it isn't already listed there.
  • Research the best keyword phrases in your topic and create quality content utilizing them.
  • Use those same keywords in your page titles, headings and subheadings. Also use them in your site description in your META tags.
  • Strive to increase relevant one-way incoming links to your site.
  • Avoid using duplicate content on your site (content with a non-exclusive license that is also being used on other websites).
  • Review your efforts often to ensure that your site remains at the top of the list.

The official source of Improving Your Web Site Ranking is
the Web Site Submitting Services page at Business.com

Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization services, including organic search engine positioning and full service PPC management to move your site to the top.
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Quickly Compare Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Companies
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Price Quotes for Search Engine Marketing Services - SEO/SEM
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Recommended Solution Providers

Bruce Clay Inc.: SEM Consultants
SEO and SEM services to improve website ranking.

Microsoft Small Business Center: Submit-it!
Tool designed to manage the search engine submission process.

Web Position Gold: SEO software
Software designed to optimize web pages for search engine optimization.

Fathom SEO: Search Engine Marketing Firm
Search engine marketing firm that helps to raise website rankings.

Majon International: Internet Marketing Specialists
Search engine marketing services.

Search Engine Innovation: SEM Specialists
Search engine marketing firm specializing in services for small businesses.

Digital Road Consulting: Internet Marketing Services
Search engine marketing firm specializing in services for small businesses.

Incoming Links
Teaches how to locate likely potential sources of incoming links, how to approach them and how to keep track of your progress.

Google: Adwords
Connects you with new customers when they're searching for your keywords.

SEO Consultants: Directory
Showcases a select group of reviewed search engine marketing professionals from around the world.

Best Sites to Learn More

Microsoft Small Business Center: Search Engine Optimization Tips
Information about elements of search engine optimization.

AllBusiness.com: Internet Marketing Resources
Resources about Internet marketing. Includes how to advertise on Google, MSN and Yahoo!

eZine: SEO Articles
Articles about various aspects of SEO.

About.com: Search Engine Marketing Resources
Articles tips and advice about SEO.

Yahoo! Small Business: Search Engine Marketing
Search engine marketing resources and articles.

WebSite101: Search Engine Relevance
Article bank of search engine optimization tips, basics and other helpful information.

Inc.com: Search Engine Resources
Search engine marketing articles and resources.

Addme.com: Search Engine Optimization Resources
Large cache of articles, tools, news and information about SEO and SEM.

Best Blogs and Forums

Search Guild: SEO Forum
Discussion of SEO issues.

Search Engine Watch: SEO Forum
Topics include search engines and directories, search engine marketing strategies as well as general search issues

High Rankings: SEO Forum
Discussion of SEM, SEO and general search engine issues.

Talk SEO: Web Optimization Forum
Discussions of how to optimize your website for search engines.

SEO Chat: SEO Discussion Forum
Discussions of all aspects of SEO including specific search engines, keywords and other issues.

Search Engine Guide: SEO News
Search engine news and information.

Search Engine Smarts: Search Engine Optimization Blog
Search engine marketing advice from an SEM professional.

SEOBook: Search Engine Optimization Blog
Blog on search engine marketing from an SEM consultant.

Search Engine Blog
Search engine marketing news and tips.

Search Engine Lowdown: Search Engine Marketing Blog
Information and news about SEM.

Traffick: SEO Blog
News on all aspects of Internet search, including SEM and SEO.



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