Search Engine Optimization | Internet Marketing Help

Posts Tagged ‘search engine optimization’

Determining The Most Effective Keywords

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Let me begin by saying that keyword research is an arduous task.

Our journey begins with three (3) pieces of paper and a pen (or pencil).

Write down all of the words that you feel best describe your business, products and services- aim for twenty-five to thirty.
On a new piece of paper, list all of the search phrases (maximum three words per phrase) you would apply to a search bar; actively seeking a business like yours.
Compare the lists, and circle the most common words from List 1, found in the search phrases on List 2. This should give you a preliminary idea about which keywords/phrases best describe your business.
Transfer the most popular keywords/phrases to a fresh piece of paper.
Begin the exhaustive research, to determine how competitive the chosen keywords are. If you need more direction on this topic, I authored a blog entry in April 2008 entitled Keywords Help for Small Business; and offered a method of determining what chance your business has against online competitors.

When addressing the content of your meta tags, it is very important to exercise continuity. Your title should be reflective of your keywords, and your keywords should be reflected in your description. Sound repetitive? It’s supposed to be.

Here are some of the guidelines our team followed when determining and implementing the appropriate content, and format for meta tag keywords and description:

select only five (5) keywords or keyword phrases
never use more than three (3) words in a primary keyword phrase
line up your keywords / phrases to resemble a sentence- most important ones first
keywords / phrases should not exceed 150 characters
use all five (5) keywords / phrases in your description. Maximum of three (3) applications per 100 words.
description should not exceed 150 words.

When complete, your meta tags should look something like this:

<title>Small Business Advice- Helping you grow your small business</title>
<meta name=”description” content=”Our small business experts offer dependable small business advice to help new business start up or small business grow, and to help generate profit.”>
<meta name=”keywords” content=”small business advice, help small business, grow small business, new business start up”>

TWMG- Corporate Web Development

Tags: corporate seo, keywords, meta tags, search engine optimization, SEO
Posted in SEO | 2 Comments »

Why is SEO important for Small Business?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

The next time you use a search engine, look carefully for your own web site.
What search words should bring consumers to your web site? Is your web site listed in those search results?
Without utilizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) it is as if motivated consumers are driving past your store; without even knowing it’s there.

Why is SEO for small business important?

Imagine if consumers couldn’t find your place of business, or even your telephone number. Business traffic would slow to a crawl and the doors would eventually close. The same thing can happen to your web site.

“We include our web site address on all of our traditional advertisements“.

This is an excellent practice; however, ask yourself:

- Was it the right radio station, newspaper or consumer mailing address?

- Was the message received at the right time?

- Is your web address memorable enough to correctly recall later?

Regrettably, when utilizing the traditional forms of advertising, potential customers must be in the right pace, at the right time; to hear or see your costly ad.

On the other hand, Search engines, are readily available to motivated consumers 24-7, and with a “click” of a mouse; a wealth of information is at their fingertips. Search Engine Optimization can ensure that your business is showcased to the consumers that need to see…when they want to see it.

I recommend the following practices be performed at the beginning of your online marketing campaign: