There are many different ways to optimize your website, and most of them fall under two categories - on-page optimization and off-page optimization. On page optimization includes things like keyword usage, HTML coding, site speed, etc., whereas off page optimization is about getting links from other websites. I'll go over some tips for both types of optimization below.
On Page Optimization
If you're going to do any SEO work on your own, the first thing you should know is that it's not as easy as throwing in a few keywords here and there. A lot of the time, what will get you noticed is good content, and making sure that your content is relevant to whatever niche you choose. You can find more information about this by checking out our article on how to write a blog post, and another one on how to build an online business with a blog.
Keyword Stuff
The number one rule when doing SEO is to use the right keywords. When you use the wrong keywords, you won't be able to rank well enough to compete with major search engines, which means people won't be able to find your site. The best way to figure out the keywords you want is to check what your competitors have used. If they're using words that you've also used, then chances are those keywords are already being targeted by a lot of other sites, so unless you're using something really unique, you won't be able to rank for them.
One trick you can try is to check out what related keywords are ranking well for your main keywords. For example, let's say you were looking for a way to market weight loss products. Your competitors might be selling diet pills, or maybe they would be selling supplements geared towards weight loss. By running a few searches for "weight loss supplements," you'd probably see several results for the term. However, if you run a search on "diet supplements" and look at the results, you wouldn't see anything except for a few generic weight loss sites.
Another tip is to make sure that you don't pick too broad a keyword. Let's say you're trying to find a way to promote weight loss products, but you chose "weight loss." This is a very general phrase that could mean a lot of different things, such as losing weight through exercise or through dieting. Instead, you could choose something like "fat burning supplements" instead. This type of keyword has much more specific meaning, and could easily lead to better rankings.
Content: Quality vs. Quantity
A common mistake that new bloggers make is to think that just because they're writing a lot of articles, their blogs will automatically rank highly. It's important to understand that quality content always beats quantity content, whether it comes to SEO or any other kind of blogging. The reason why this is true is because Google and other search engines value original, high quality content. They don't care how many times you write an article if it doesn't contain something valuable to the user. So, if you want your blog to rank higher, focus on creating high quality content.
It's also a good idea to include backlinks to your website whenever possible. Backlinks come from other websites linking to yours, either in the form of text links within their articles or from their sidebars. As long as you're getting these links, you'll be able to increase your site's domain authority score, which makes it easier for other sites to link to you.
Off Page Optimization
There are three types of off page SEO that you should be familiar with before beginning any sort of campaign: directory submissions, social media marketing, and submitting your URL to free directories. All three of these methods require you to submit your URL to a web directory, which is basically an organization that allows its members to submit websites that meet certain criteria. There are thousands of them, ranging from huge organizations to small personal ones. The advantage of submitting your website to a directory is that it gives you a chance to spread your brand name around, which increases your exposure. It also improves the overall quality of your site, since the directory only accepts quality sites.
Directories are usually free to join, but sometimes you'll have to pay a fee to upgrade your account. In order to get into a directory, you need to fill out an application, which includes providing basic contact info (name, address, phone number) and telling them who owns the site. When you finish filling out the application, you'll receive an email asking for payment. Once you pay, you'll be assigned a username and password, which allows you to log in and access your account.
Some directories allow you to post ads, but you can also submit your URL directly, which saves you money by not paying for ad space. Some directories offer coupons or discounts when you sign up, so it's worth taking a look at all the options available. One great resource for finding directories is the Directory Central website.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is another great way to get traffic to your site. Since it involves interacting with users online, it has the potential to bring a lot of visitors to your site each day. The catch is that you need to be active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other popular social networking sites. The amount of traffic that can be generated by these platforms varies greatly depending on your target audience.
For example, you can generate a lot more traffic on Facebook than you can on LinkedIn. Also, it's often better to focus on a few networks and get involved in your local community rather than posting on every single network possible. It's also important to note that you need to take special precautions when dealing with social media marketing, such as never giving away private or sensitive information. If you're unsure about whether or not you should be using social media marketing, you should read our article on the pros and cons of social media marketing.
Conclusion
SEO is a process that takes a lot of effort and dedication from both sides, the people working hard to create quality content on their sites and the people working hard to get those sites ranked high in the search engine results pages. Although SEO requires quite a bit of work, it's definitely worth it in the end. It helps drive lots of new traffic to your website, which means that you'll get even more customers and revenue. In addition, it opens up a whole world of possibilities for you, such as monetizing your site with affiliate programs or joining a PPC campaign.
SEO is a complex topic, but it's definitely a worthwhile investment if you plan on growing your online presence. Good luck!