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Focus on SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Before You Launch Your New Website
Are you launching a new website? There's no better time to think
about search engine optimization than prior to launching a new site.
By giving consideration to your 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-through.
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 partner’s page. Previously referred to as a links page,
the partner’s 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
partner’s 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. |
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