There's no better time to think
about search
engine optimization than prior to launching a new site. By giving
consideration
to your on-page optimization factors, you can increase your chances
of achieving
top organic search results.
To prepare your site for easy indexing, be sure to follow these
basis guidelines:
1. Design your site in html or similar format that minimizes the use
of java
script and flash. The more complex you make your code, the more
difficult it
becomes for the search engine spiders to read your content and
prescribe the
appropriate Google PR to your web page.
2. Make sure that your meta tags are coded properly and include the
Robots.txt
tag. Many individuals downplay the importance of meta tags. Although
meta tags
themselves won't drastically change the organic ranking of your
site, they do
create the display text users will see when your site appears in
search results.
If your meta tags are search engine optimized and compelling, you
increase the
changes of improving click-throughs.
3. Apply the proper tags to your page. H1, H2, and H3 tags are a
great wall to
call attention to your content and promote your keywords and keyword
phrases.
Try to use each tag at least once, but don't force the issues. You
want your
text to flow and appear normal.
In addition to ensuring that you've made your page easy to access
and presented
text that is optimized, you also want to consider other factors that
can help
long-term with your SEO efforts. So often, web designers get caught
up with on
page factors, that they overlook the requirements for establishing a
foundation
that supports long-term initiatives.
In particular, consider adding pages that you can add to over time
that support
link building and accessibility for search engine spiders. Be sure
to include:
1. An html sitemap and an xml sitemap. Including a sitemap on you
site makes it
easy for search engines to access all of your website pages and
index your site
accordingly. Your sitemap should be in both html as well as xml.
Although users
would not access the xml sitemap, search engine spiders use this
version to crawl
websites. Additionally, key search engine submission resources like
Google's
Webmasters Tools require xml site map versions.
2. Include a partners page. Previously referred to as a links page,
the partners
page is essential for reciprocal linking. This strategy isn't as
powerful as
developing one-way links, but until your site has been assigned a
Google PR,
one-way links can be difficult to acquire. So begin your link
exchange program
with a partners page that allows you add or remove link quickly and
easily.
3. Submission pages that encourage new content. One of the most
powerful seo
techniques is the addition of new content. Make it easy for your
users to add
or submit content to your website. When search engines see new
content, they
rejoice. Don't underestimate how important it is to make it simple
for your
browsers to add or submit content.
When focusing on search engine optimization, especially with a new
website, follow the basic ideas outlined above. There are a number
of other factors to consider as well. However, you should always
start with a strong foundation - a site design that meets basic SEO
standards but one that also supports your long range search engine
optimization goals.
