Varinder Singh’s Blog

For many years I’ve been reading countless number of articles on how to improve page rankings and ultimately improve SEO (search engine optimization). After trying all sorts of methods on clients websites I have learned that the only tricks that work effectively are the following:

Number #1:

<h1>, <h2> & <b> tags!

Many people initially try and avoid these tags out of fear that the text will simply not blend in with the rest of the website. However, after conducting some research I have concluded that these tags are probably the most effective method of getting search engines to pick up on those key words. In fact, I’m so confident that I want YOU in one weeks time to put this posts title or the following key words into Google and see what comes up on the first page:

Banana Blind Money Bribed

Number #2:

Friendly (static) URL’s. You usually have two types of urls. The first sort are the all too common dynamic urls. These URL’s look something like this: http://www.mywebsite.com/article.php?id=7

The other sort (static) look like this: http://www.mywebsite.com/article/7/how-to-make-a-pizza/

Both URL’s may still be showing the same content but the search engines tend to be more favourable to the static sort. Why you ask? Simply due to the keywords embedded within the URL. Making your website is fairly easy difficult at times but it definately pays off. You can achieve friendly URL’s with the use of a .htaccess file.

Number #3:

ALT text! ALT is simply a tag which helps describe what an image or media item is. It’s a way to put in mini-information to help users understand what’s going on. For example, if i have a photo of my visit to Spain I may want to write “Spain trip - on the beech”. For a live example hover over the images in this post with your mouse. This change can be implemented by simply formatting image tags like this:

<img src=”..bla bla bla” alt=”Football. Manchester United VS Chelsea”>.

Number #5:

No excessive use of flash or images. The amount of times I get clients asking for a flash websites with lots of animations and then expect the website to be listed at number 1 on Google is unbelievable. Search engines scan the web-page source code for key words and tags. Usually flash websites lack any key words except those in META tags (meta tags coming up next!). If a search engine cannot harvest your key words it cannot give you the desired page ranking. It’s that simple. If you wish to implement animation, do it on a small scale. Also, for those graphics junkies who call one big image cut into thousands of little bits a website, please stop. The same rules apply for websites made out of 100% images. However, if you still wish to continue using images in such an excessive manner be sure to write in some ALT links!

Number #6:

HTML META tags I feel really embarrassed writing about this point as I’ve forgotten to implement it on my own blog! To put it briefly, the meta tag is used by search engines to allow them to more accurately list your site in their indexes. Sometimes. If you simply produce your home page and register the URL with a search engine, or a number of search engines, their spider programmes will (eventually) toddle along to your site to index it. These days some search engines put a 250 character limit on meta tags. For more information on how to get META tags placed on your website click here. Also, it’s always a good idea to validate your html from time to time.

Number #7:

Distribute that link! A key way to get attention to your page is to distribute the link. This can be done in many ways. Consider exchanging links with another website of a similar sort (not your competition!). For example, if i produce camping tents I may want to exchange links with a website who sells camping equipment. Exchanging a link is merely placing the other persons website link on your website and them doing the same. This way both parties profit from this mutual exchange. The second method of distributing your link is to simply include it into your signature. Whenever you make a comment on a blog (except mine), send out an email or publish new content on a website be sure to include a link to your website after your name. The third and last method of distributing ‘that link’ is to spam. DO NOT DO THIS. It’s considered very bad conduct and will give you a bad reputation. If you really want to mention your website but feel it may be considered spam - contact the webmaster before hand and ask for his or her permission. Also, distribute links on your own website. Link back to previous posts you made or key words which also appear on other parts of your website. It’s a good way to keep users “hooked” onto your website.

Number #8:

I guess those who say: ‘common sense isn’t common’ are right. Approach search engines directly and submit your link! Usually simply going to the search engines website and typing in ‘add url’ or ’submit url’ will bring up a page where you can submit your URL. It’s that simple.

And last but not least - Number #9 (did you really think we were going to go up to 10?)

Submit your website to DMOZ. DMOZ is an open directory of websites. It’s hand updated and has been around for years. If you want your website deep rooted, this is the place to approach. To underestimate this service would be absolutely silly. On doing a Google search for DMOZ 32,300,000 results come up - what does that say to you?