When I first started blogging the words Search Engine Optimization (SEO) were intimidating words. Slowly, I have been trying to learn SEO so my blog can really be seen by many people who are interested in the information I share on a regular basis. Attending the Reviewers Retreat and listening to expert Gina Badalaty provided more clarity that I needed. The art of using keywords to improve your SEO Permalinks - Never change theses links on your blog posts. Permalinks are basically the original url of your posts. You don't want to change these link because it will damage the SEO on your blog. How can you help your blog's SEO? Try internally linking to other applicable posts. Make sure you try to link your other posts at least once in new related posts. Use frequently searched keywords in your new posts. Try not to use words that are too popular or highly competitive because if those words are the same keywords for more popular blogs it isn't going to help you out a whole lot. The words should be in your niche and your niche needs to be less common and somewhat unique. Is your blog easily searched? Think about what words you want readers to type to find your post. What searches do you want to be found under on Google. Research your websites adwords. To do so, use Adwords.Google.com to search for keywords. Your website's global monthly searches should be large numbers not single digits. The numbers need to be high, 4 or 5 digit numbers, aim for numbers in the thousands. Utilize 5 or 6 phrases niche specific phrases in your posts. Step 1 Research the long tail (a long phrase that is niche specific, searchable, and words that are relevant to your blog). The longer more specific phrase will get you a smaller more specialized audience that will be interested in your blog. Use key words in your domain name Put keywords in your blog posts, so they are present, but not too obvious. Add a Blog Roll title that is keyword driven and niche specific. Step 2 Minimize links for blog posts. Adding too many links to your posts will only hurt you and you want to promote your blog, feel free to add other outside links, but do so sparingly--not in every post. Use heading and html correctly and effectly (i.e. Title = <h1>, post headlines = <h3>) Use keywords for your images too Name you all of your tags properly. Keep keywords in mind while writing every posts. Try writing the post first and adding the key words once you are done. (For example, if you post a picture of a lady screaming. Name the image frantic mom if you have a mom site). Be creative, but not deceptive. Step 3 Take advantage of using categories to promote your keywords. The names of your categories should be around 6 words, and 10-15 works max. Use this for keywords as well. Regarding "Tags", you can have as many tags as you want. Effectively using your tag cloud can help you display your keywords as well. When creating your permalinks they should be in the following format: title, post link, name Step 4 Study your competitors, see which keywords they are using. If you want to rank higher on Google, you need to do your research. Step 5 Advanced tips Niche tightly USE social media to help grow your blog and promote yourself as credible in your link Write compelling headlines. See headlinehacks.com for a great tutorial on how to write better headlines. Optimize your top pages Learn various site applications such as XML, HTML Use "no follow," for sites you don't trust, paid links, google views money making links as spam. Be careful and aware. Don'ts of SEO Avoid keyword stuffing Doorway or cloaking Name images properly Don't double up content Use block quotes. Don't use link farms Write great content then integrate SEO techniques. Be sure content is higher then the ads. Keys to SEO success Persistence & Patience Don't trust sites that claim to guarantee placement Never stop stop blogging, keep it going and a pay off will come Write well and write often. Visit: Mom-blog.com/SEO to learn more. ----------- This session was taught by: Gina Badalaty her links are as follows: www.artbytech.com, www.mom-blog.com Shes also on Twitter: @ginabad LEARN MORE ABOUT SEO: I will also be attending a SEO webinar on SCORE.org: SEO Basics: How to Get Found Online Thursday, June 21 at 1pm ET/ 10am PT. This session will be taught by Charlé-John Cafiero of CJC Strategists for a g-down-to-the-basics session on Search Engine Optimization strategy. Find out what works and what doesn't to help your website get found online. Photo credit: http://goo.gl/xPrrC Related posts: Reviewer Retreat Reflection Series: Why Pinterest? Reviewer’s Retreat = Fun, Fun, Fun READER RESPONSE: Are there any tips you think should be added to this list?
