Since 1998, I’ve spent the first few months of every year looking for the best search engine optimization (SEO) tips from the end of the previous year. This year I have come across the best SEO tips so far.
SEO tip n. # 1: make Google alerts your personal online spy
Google Alerts is a great way to let the world’s largest search engine be your personal online spy. This takes search engine optimization insider information to a whole new level. Here’s an excerpt straight from Google …
“Google alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.
Some useful uses of Google alerts include:
* follow up on a news in development
* stay updated on a competitor or industry
* get the latest on a celebrity or event
* be aware of your favorite sports teams “
As you probably guessed, the second thing that matters most to us, “keeping up with a competitor or industry.”
Here’s how it works … Every time Google finds a reference to the query or topic you are requesting, an email will be sent to you with the details. This is like having an online spy to make sure the competition isn’t using your protected keywords (trademark names, company names, etc.). It is also an instant identifier to know when your site or product is mentioned in a news story or even when a topic is mentioned. it’s hot so you can take advantage of the situation. It’s the world’s easiest way to stop the competition’s dirty tricks and identify trends you can instantly take advantage of.
It’s fast, free, and works every minute of every day. Let Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) do the most time-consuming fieldwork while you reap the rewards.
SEO tip n. # 2: Optimize Your 404 Page And They Will Always Find You
“404 Error: Page Not Found” is a blessing that most webmasters curse. Why? Getting a visitor to any page on your site is great! Do not waste the opportunity. Not only can you make your “404” page a valuable sales tool, but you can use the following search engine optimization techniques to attract customers in droves.
A.) Use your primary keyword in your title, add a “pipeline” (usually above the Enter key), and then use your secondary keyword. Here is an example of an SEO site “SEO: Search Engine Optimization Tips”.
B.) Add keyword rich content using one or two keywords for the page. If you have less than 250 words on the page, only use one keyword and don’t use it more than three times in total. The first use in bold and the second or third use in italics. Keep in mind that this is an “inactive” page, so just tell the visitor what your site is about and whet their appetite with a good description. Something like this works fine … “Thanks for visiting SEO (bold) Group, Inc. We’re sorry you came to a missing page, but don’t worry, if you’re looking for the best search engine optimization tips (bold) , you’re in the right place … “This will continue for a couple of paragraphs or as long as you like and then end with something like” Click here (link) to visit our sitemap or click any link to the left . “
C.) Add your site’s standard navigation system (bar, column, etc.) as mentioned above.
D.) Make the appearance of the custom 404 page match your main site as closely as possible with a template, combo palette, cascading style sheets, etc.
E.) Link to the sitemap page, if available, and make the link easy to find. You want your visitor to get off the 404 page and into your main content as quickly as possible.
Setting up a custom 404 page link generally takes less than five minutes at most major web hosting companies like Godaddy.com. But whatever it takes, it’s worth the effort.
SEO tip n. # 3: Be (Even More) Serious About Links
I saved the most important for last. If you want to get it right on any search engine, especially Google, linking is THE MOST important thing you can do. It’s that easy.
Here are the five things you MUST do to make your site # 1 on Google:
A.) Find the highest page rank sites that link to your site AND your competitors’ sites.
B.) Run monthly link campaigns and get the best out of the websites identified above.
C.) Make regular checks of the pages that still link to your site. Also make sure you haven’t been moved from a high page rank page to a lower one (don’t be fooled!)
D.) Remove any penalized site to which you link; AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
E.) Check your search engine ranking AND your competitor’s ranking for each of your keywords every week. Do this, at a minimum, for Google, Yahoo, MSN, and Alta Vista.
