If you are brand new to SEO, here are some basics to start out with. If you implement the items on this list to your website, it will make your site more search engine friendly. This list covers on-page optimization only and is just the beginning. Keep in mind every page of your site needs to be optimized for a keyword or phrase separately.
1. Title of your page – Use the keyword or keyword phrase* as the title in most cases. This phrase should also be on the page within the content to match the title. You will find this in your html as the Title tags: <title>Basic SEO Lesson</title>
2. Description tag – Some search engines ignore this, but you will still find some read it or use it within SERPS*. The description should be a short <meta name=”description” content=”Learn how to optimize your website with this basic SEO lesson. Your first steps for on page optimization.”>
3. Keyword tag – These days it seems most search engines ignore this once overused meta-tag. You still may want to put in a few keywords or KWP (maybe 3 or 4) in this tag. Again, make sure they fit the page. <meta name=”keywords” content=”SEO, SEO lesson, search engine optimization”>
4. Content – Now this is where you write about the subject. Carefully using the keyword or phrase throughout the content without making it read like it was an SEO company who wrote it all. Search engine optimization should be implemented in a way that leaves the content read naturally by the visitor, yet attract the search engines to the phrase you are targeting for that page.
5. File name – Your file name and folder name matters! Use the keyword or phrase within either or both when possible. Do not use spaces or underscores for these names, you can use a dash – to break up words for readability. Such as http://www.airevilo.com/medford-sem-workshop.htm
6. Linking – Link to other pages within your site using the keyword or phrase as the anchor text*. This will let the search engines know what that page is going to be about. An example of an anchor text would be Medford SEO workshop - as you can see that links to a page that is about the subject mentioned in the anchor text.
Definitions for words used above.
keyword phrase – a serious of 2 or more words that make up a phrase that describes what the subject is and it what you are targeting searches with. KWP for short.
SERPS – Search Engine Results Pages – see SERPS on Wikipedia
Anchor Text – The word or words used to click on a hyperlink. These are the visible words rather than just a web address.
