Search engine optimisation (SEO) – your questions answered

Every week I make note of the questions I am asked – here is a list of the top 3 questions from last week:

Q: What are the most important thing to focus on when optimising a website?
A: There are many factors taken into account by search engines when giving you a ranking. They include

• On page optimisation - that includes keyword density in page content, internal link anchor text, alt text, url’s, page names, structure, navigation etc
• Inbound links – extremely important.  The more links you have from relevant high ranking sites the better. Aim to include target key phrases in link anchor text.
• Well written, well optimised meta data
• New Google’s +1 Button

Click here for more information on Organic Search Engine Optimisation

Q: What are white hat and black hat techniques in SEO?
A: SEO experts normally categories SEO techniques into 2 categories – those that are legit and enhance the users experience and does not involve deception (white hat) and those that are what I refer to as cheats (black hat) and do not enhance the users experience and will normally get you banned in time.    There are many things that can be done that are black hat techniques, two examples are: hiding key words / phrases in the page or delivering the user and search engine different pages (cloaking).   If you cheat you will get caught and the result will not be good.

Q:How do I choose what key phrases to target?
A: There are many ways to decide on this.  Create a spreadsheet columns:

1. Web page
2. Keyphrase(s)
3. Competition

Now fill in column 1 with the list of pages in your site. For column 2 research your key phrases:  

• Talk to clients, ask them what they search(ed) for. 
• Analyse your website statistics to see what key phrases are currently generating traffic to your website. 
• Use Google itself, type in your phrase and Google instant will give you recommendations
• Use Google Keyword Tool
• Be logical, how would you search.

Identify search terms for each page, have up to 10 if needed.  

Now whittle them down to 3 per page buy checking what competition there is for these search terms online. Easiest way to do this is to go to Google and type in your search terms using ” ” and under the search box you will see how many listings there are.  Aim for ones that are attainable.  Try go for ones that you know have high search volume and low(ish) competition.

Got any more question, click here to ask Sandra and get a personal response