What is SEO?

What is SEO?

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is one of the buzzwords of the day, but does it have real significance? Yes, it does. For a while, SEO experts focuses on directly manipulating search engine rank through SEO. However, Google frowns up that, and you should look at SEO as a way to naturally grow your traffic and improve your rank through consistent practices.

SEO starts with creating quality content on a frequent basis. Update your website as least once per week. Use catchy headlines, post your content to social networks like Facebook and find an unique angle. Keep your paragraphs short and use lists, images and headings to make your content easy to digest. When you can, use graphics or images that readers especially like to share. Add widgets or buttons that let people submit your content to Facebook, Pinterest and other social networks without leaving your website.

You should always link to your previous content from your own website to help search engines index your site. Make sure to use keywords applicable to your content and industry in your content, titles, URLs, and metadata. When possible, have others link back to your site using those keywords. However, your keywords should also use natural text like your company or website name.

Join forums, communities and social networks. Use the appropriate keywords in your profile. Don't forget to link to your website on Google+ and Facebook. Remember that Google favors its own services, so create a Google+ page and feed your updates to it just like you would on Facebook.

SEO is an ongoing process that doesn't always produce immediate or drastic results, but it can bring more traffic that converts to sales or signups.