Yes, your website can date the major search engines. And it should! If you are wanting to get your business’s website to the top of the search engine results, read on.

Don’t Be Fooled

The first thing to remember is that there are many individuals (and companies) out there that will promise to get you to the first page of Google by using what I call “backdoor techniques”. Don’t be fooled. Improving search engine ranking and placement does NOT involve hundreds of random links, keyword spamming, blog or email spamming, or manual repeated submission to the search engines. Search engine algorithms for determining placement are much more advanced. This is not only the wrong approach, but it will actually hurt your rankings. I help my clients use real, legitimate, and proven strategies to improve their search engine rankings.

Get Credit Where Credit is Due

Next, make sure that your hard work for SEO is actually helping your own website. This means no domain masking. No redirects from your domain name to a third-party site or host. Be sure that your blog is not external to your own website. All of these strategies will give credit for the traffic outside of your own website address – making it less likely that your website will show in search engine results.

Do Your Homework

1. Your first homework assignment should be to set up a SEO friendly website if you don’t already have one. I help clients create a clean, clear site built on WordPress. Did you know that the search engines LOVE WordPress? There are also exceptional WordPress SEO plugins that do much of the work for you.
2. Second assignment – keyword research. Performing research on the most popular keywords and keyword combinations related to your industry and profession can make a huge difference. Naturally incorporate these keywords throughout the content of your site.
3. Last homework assignment – let the search engines know that you exist. Incorporate all of the major social media outlets into your site. Use your RSS feed and blog. Connect with Google Analytics and Feedburner. Submit your business address to the search engine maps so that they know where you are. I could go on and on with this third assignment (as you may have figured out) but this is likely enough homework for now. After all, it is summer!

Be Authentic and Consistent

Finally, keep your website content fresh. Use your blog to showcase your knowledge in your industry, ideally at a minimum of several times per month. Incorporate the most popular keywords throughout your articles. Be consistent about your communication on your website as well as social media. Think of ways to provide valuable information for your industry and local area through your website pages and blog. Be authentic. You will be rewarded with top placement. It’s real SEO; not backdoor SEO. It works. I have done it time and time again for clients. And it will work for you too.