Search Engine Optimization, or (SEO), refers
to the task of creating web pages that conform to specifications of
different search engines. This is also know as "on-page factors".
These are not tricks, but optimizing a web page according to the rules set
by the search engines.
Some of these include but are not limited
to:
Writing pages for only one search term;
Keyword placement - Strategic placement
of keywords that will drive traffic to your website;
Keyword Density - The total number of
keywords in relation to the total amount of words on a page;
Meta Tags - 1) Meta-Keyword, or letting
the search engines know what the page is about, 2) Meta-Description, or
what the search interprets as the description of the page content and
may be used by the search engine to identify the page in a search hit.
In addition to SEO, there is Search Engine
Marketing (SEM), which refers to the marketing of the website to create
traffic. This is also referred to as the "off-page factors".
This would include submitting to directories, linking to and getting links
from other websites - preferably websites in the same industry, blogging,
and writing articles. Some examples include:
Directories are a list reviewed by people and indexed by category. These create good
links to your site;
Link Exchanges - Links with other
websites preferably in the same industry or content relation;
Blogging - Another place where you can
get your message out about what you do; And,
Articles - Writing short articles for
publication in forums and e-zines, or electronic online magazines.
This was just a short explanation of search
engine optimization and marketing. Defending The Net is working on
developing an entire section of our site that will provide SEO and SEM education
and guidance for those who wish to increase the traffic and effectiveness of
their websites.
