There are two basic types of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - onsite and offsite. I will focus on offsite SEO and what you can do to get a higher search engine ranking.
I will assume that you have created a website or blog and have already optimized it properly like I mentioned in this article. Your job has just begun and in order to get more visitors and ranked higher in the search engines you need one thing - links back to your site.
Getting a link pointed back to your website is like a vote of approval from someone else. The more votes you have, the higher you rank. The more votes you get from "authority" pages (i.e. higher ranked pages), the better.
So, here is what you can do to get more backlinks.
1. Post comments on other blogs. You will be able to put your name and a link to your website along with your comment. Use a keyword or phrase for your name.
2. Take advantage of KeyWorLuv. You may see blogs that are usig a plugin called KeyWorLuv. Sometimes it is below the comment box, so check before you hit the Submit button. To take advantage of KeyWordLuv, all you have to do is put in your real name and your keyword/phrase. So, for the keyphrase "Khon Kaen", mine would be Larry@Khon Kaen. When your comment is approved, the key word/phrase is then the anchor text pointing to your site.
3. Write articles. When you write an article you get to include a author's Bio box. Here you can place a link or two to your site. The best Article Site is Ezinearticles. Make sure you read their rules as they are very strict but it is worth posting there and only there.
4. Make a video and post it on Youtube. You can add your link in the description and also embed a link within the video.
5. Write a short eBook, embed your links, and give it away for free.
6. Join related forums and post there regularly. Ensure that you have added your website link to your profile and signature.
7. Place your links as a signature block in your emails.
8. Find other sites that are similar to yours and ask to exchange links. This can be time consuming but getting a few reciprocal links can help though one-way links are better.
9. Submit your website to the major search engines.
10. Get social. Use Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Digg and the rest of the social networks to get your link seen.
Is this work? Yes. Does it take time? It takes time to do what I suggested and it takes time for the search engines to recognize your work. But, it is worth it.
Remember, you can have the best looking website on the Internet but if no one can find it, what good is it.
If your webiste is not on the first three pages of Google, you will not get many visitors. Using the above tactics will improve your ranking.
Set aside an hour or so per day to post blog comments, join a conversation or two in a forum, write an article and submit it, and participate in the social arena.
Believe me, it will pay off.
Larry Westfall is a retired expat living out his golden years in Khon Kaen, Thailand. He enjoys riding his mountain bike for daily exercise and looking for treasure with his metal detector .
