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10 Top Tips on Search Engine Optimisation
Creating a website doesn’t guarantee you visitors. First, users need to know you exist. To make sure you’re found by search engines such as Google and Yahoo, and to improve your ranking in their search results, follow our top 10 tips below on optimising your site.
1. Keep page copy succinct: aim for 300-750 words per page.
2. Create a site map. As well as helping users navigate your site, it makes it easier for search engine spiders to find and index all your pages.
3. Check the lines of the first paragraph on each page. Do they accurately describe its content? Some search engines simply copy from the top of the page for their indexes. If necessary, re-write it to make it more appropriate.
4. Review/rewrite your meta tags. Each page on your website has a meta title and meta description. These appear in the search engines’ results, so the tags are up to date and reflect what the page (not the website) is about.
5. Include a keyword in your meta title and near the beginning of your meta description. A keyword is a word or phrase used to find results in internet searches.
6. Place your page’s keyword in the page text. Use it in near the top of the page – in headings and the first paragraph for example – so that search engine spiders can easily find it. Aim for a “keyword density” of around 1-2 per cent in your website copy. Search engines use this information to classify sites and decide which terms the site is relevant to. If you don’t use the keyword enough, your site may not be found. Too many times, and your page might get blocked for spamming.
7. Use keywords in file names for photographs, graphics and illustrations. For example, keyword.jpg
8. Include ALT text. This provides a text equivalent for pictures and graphics that can be read aloud to users with screen reading technology. However, only add alt text if a user would not otherwise understand the information displayed by the image.
9. Remember to use longer or plural versions of keywords. For example, holiday, holidays, holidaying, vacation, vacations, vacationing. Users search for singular and plural versions, so include both.
10. Set up links with other appropriate websites and try to include a keyword in the link text. Links can boost your ranking as some search engines position your site according to the quality and quantity of links. Add them gradually and avoid link farms which link your page to numerous sites that are not relevant and may get you penalised for spamming.
• For further advice, contact Jill Davies at Granite 5, Unit 5 Valley Court Offices, Lower Road, Croydon, Royston Herts SG8 0HF Tel: 01223 208008.
