What is SEO and how do you do it?

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is website design that maximizes opportunities for search engine programs (some are called Googlebots) to correctly index the site subject matter, and moves the website towards the top of the search engine list for keywords or phrases. Popular search engines are Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

Select keywords and phrases

SEO starts with careful selection of keywords and phrases. This research becomes the foundation of your strategy. For the purpose of this explanation, let’s abbreviate keywords and phrases “keys.”

Produce a list of 10 to 20 keys. Use brainstorming techniques to build the list.

Then narrow down the list to 3-5 keys by performing web searches or interviewing website users.  There are online tools that provide search data for keywords. At this time, most of these services charge a fee or require application for a trial period. This would include wordtracker.com, keyword planner at adwords.google.com or keyworddiscovery.com. If you use these tools, the number of searches by keyword and phrases can help finalize your list.

My next blog entry will explain where to use your keywords and phrases (keys) in your website for SEO.

This you tube video offers a simple definition for SEO.