“It was excellent.”
“Before I took the search engine academy training course, I had an intermediate level of SEO understanding. Not only am I now an expert, this course has taught me an entire new way of approaching SEO.”Basic Search Engine Optimization
By Barry Byers & Greg Mate
TweetWhat Is Search Engine Optimization?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an internet strategy used to promote your web site. You “optimize” your web site so that it appears near the top of a search engine’s results page (SERP) when someone conducts a web search using a specific keyword or keyword phrases.
You are NOT paying to appear in the sponsored listings provided by search engines that usually appear at the top, bottom or right hand side of the results page and usually indicate “sponsored listings”.
You are building or extending your web site so that each individual page is relevant enough to appear high in the natural/organic results supplied by the search engines when someone searches for a keyword or keyword phrase.
The higher your web site ranks in the results listing of a search, the more likely your site will be visited by the person who is conducting the search. The majority of internet users won't click through several pages of search results. More often, they will only visit sites displayed on the first page or two which makes search engine optimization essential for directing more visitors to your site.
How Do I Get Started With Search Engine Optimization?
- Read the Search Engine’s Webmaster Guidelines. Most of the info you find on the internet regarding search engine optimization regurgitates strategies derived from Google’s webmaster guidelines.
- You can search on Google, Yahoo!, MSN or any smaller search engine for information on SEO. There are hundreds of web sites providing a variety of free SEO strategies and tips. Keep in mind, search engine optimization is like any other tool in your search marketing mix. You are responsible for the outcome. If you are researching the info yourself, it would be wise to contact an seo consultant to make sure you are on the right path. Getting banned from Google because of a rookie mistake can be painful.
- You can take an online course. There are dozens of courses available including our own online training at . Taking an SEO course online course is great but make sure the course providers are available to discuss critical issues.
- You Can Attend a Search Engine Optimization Training Workshop. There is nothing like hands on learning and a support system. Make sure the workshop provides “White Hat” SEO placement techniques based on search engine guidelines.
- You can hire an outside agency that provides search engine optimization services. SEO can be expensive but a good search engine optimization agency will provide you with a good return on investment. Make sure they are transparent and provide complementary search engine advertising methods.
The best advice I can give you is to start today. While you are thinking about getting it just right, your competitor has added relevant content, submitted to a few directories, written an article, and is hard at work on his new blog!
Until the next time....Trust Your Instincts But Track Everything.
Barry
About Gregory Mate
Gregory Mate is the Director of Training of the Montreal Search Engine Academy, He teaches a 1 Day Executive Masters' in SEO Seminar, the 2-Day Basic SEO Essentials, 3-Day Advanced SEO Techniques, and 5-Day All-Inclusive SEO "hands on" search engine marketing workshops in the Greater Montreal Area of Quebec.
About Search Engine Academy
The Search Engine Academy is the first search engine optimization training designed for people with little or no previous experience with SEO. It also has a detailed certification program for current SEOs to ensure they possess the most current and correct skills. The Search Engine Academy was formed by industry leaders Robin Nobles and John Alexander. Each of the Search Engine Academies are independently owned and operated by licensed associates of the Search Engine Academy.
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