Web site optimization is the process of designing your page to rank high in the search engines. If you're serious about your internet business, optimizing your web pages is a must. Usually Internet users type in a keyword phrase in the search engine and look through the top 10 - 20 results. Most of the time, they'll find what they're looking for in the first 10 results. The percentage of click through is even smaller. Listing near the top and grabbing the attention of your target audience is the top priority.
There are many components of your web page that you should pay close attention to when preparing it for listing in a Search Engine.
1-Keywords and Keyword Phrases
A keyword is a word that describes your web page. For example, if your web page is focusing on web pages, your best keyword will be "webs" or "hosting".
A keyword phrase is two or more words that best describe your web page. If your web page is about web hosting like mine, then your best keyword phrase will be "web hosting."
You have to think what a targeted visitor will type into a search engine to find your web site yourself ,Selecting good keyword phrases is a very important step towards optimizing your pages for the Search Engines.
Keyword phrases can be a unique words. For example, if you're promoting web hosting, instead of using the word "webs" or "hosting" as a Keyword, use the specific web hosting provider name like StartLogic. This will drive targeted visitors to your website.
2-Meta Tags
To instruct the browser you must use the meta Tags that are inserted between the <head> </head> tags.
The description of your site is contained in the META description Tag. When your site is returned in a search, the above mentioned description will be visible to some search engines.
Your description should focus on your site's main topic and avoid generalization. Most important keywords should be included the in the beginning of your description. The description should be 200 characters and describe to your potential visitors your site contents.
Example:
<META name="DESCRIPTION" content="Web hosting provides directory">
The META Keywords tag will contain a listing of your keywords and keyword phrases that are relevant to your page and enable a Search Engine to find you. The most effective use of keywords is to concentrate on just a few Keyword phrases.
Example:
<META name="KEYWORDS" content="Web hosting, hosting, webs, web hosting provider">
3-<IMG ALT> Tags
mage Alt tag is a text displayed if your image for some reason could not be displayed. To optimize your graphics, insert keyword phrases relevant to your site content.
Example:
<IMG SRC="mainlogo.gif" WIDTH="270" HEIGHT="50" ALT="Web hosting " BORDER="1">
4-<TITLE> Tag
The most important keywords should be contained in the Title. Note that using keywords mostly used by people when they do the search are to be used. Try to use the lowercase letters, since most people use them when they search.
Effective Title tags include only relevant keyword or keyword phrases. Avoid non-indexing filler words, such as a, an, the, welcome and home page.
Example:
<title> web hosting directory</title>
5-Heading
Heading tags are used to separate between topics. The heading tags range from large and bold <H1> to very small and bold <H6>.
It is more preferable that the heading contains the most important keywards to help you in ranking higher in the search engines. Note that not all of the search engines use the heading tags, but it is worth its effort.
6-Text
To rank higher in search engines, optimizing the text is a must. The webpage should contain different versions of the keyword phrases. If the keywords and keyword phrases listed in the Meta tags are not found within the text, the search engine will simply ignore them.
Keywords and phrases should appear at least three times, but not more than seven times.
7-Tables
If you would like to use tables on your web page, place your Heading text above your Table code. If this is not possible, make the keyword phrases on the top left cell of the table to help you rank high in the search engines.
Important Note:
Always place the most relevant and important information above the fold of your web page. This is the most important part of the entire page, so use it wisely. It is the first part of the web page that firstly appears, so its importance is stressed.