SEO for Fresh Squids

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 8 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #771 in Squidoo Tips, #135,838 overall

Search Engine Optimization

I'm going to try to keep this look into Search Engine Optimization as simple as possible. It sounds like a very heavy topic but really much of it is quite straightforward and easy to put into practice. I will be starting with keywords, after a few words about other things which are more important. This is a gateway to new vistas.

Your content

is the most important thing

Maybe you should forget about Search Engine Optimization for a while 

I have been on Squidoo since the end of March 2009 and have only just got to grips with Search Engine Optimization. The most important thing in Squidoo is your own unique content. If you are finding the learning curve quite steep enough already it would be fine for you to wait a few weeks before dealing with this subject. However there is really nothing to be scared about. SEO is just about getting your lens noticed by the search engines and in particular we are looking at Google. First we will talk about keywords.

Keywords

So what is a keyword and does it have a noticeable effect 

What we are doing is finding a way to get to the attention of our readers. We want to be on the first page of Google. I have seen keywords working for me. One to two days after you have added them you will see your lens joyfully leaping up the Squidoo rankings. This of course is Squidoo but is also because Squidoo knows that you are getting in a better position with Google.

A keyword or phrase which best describes what your lens is all about is the powerful thing that will get you noticed. Today I sorted this out in my lens about playing the piano as an adult. Naturally enough my keyword was "piano" ( although I'm wondering if this was the right word to choose as it is rather general) I am putting the link to that lens below so that you can see how many times I have used the word "piano." In the intro you will find piano in bold.(To find out how to embolden words look in Collected Squidoo tips, shown below, and find "Basic html for Squidoo" on that lens) This helps Google to pick up your subject.

We are also advised to put the keyword in bold in our last module. Otherwise it is important to use the keyword when possible in the module headings as Google picks up on these more easily. Also you should use the keyword where possible in the main content, but do be sure to do it discreetly and not obtrusively. I have altered sentences which say "when you play music" to "when you play music on your piano" thus using the keyword. It is possible to edit your previous lenses to include keywords. However even better is to think about your keywords before you start your lens, then you can include them in your lens title and URL.

Take a look at Sojoun's useful lens below to read up on this. If there is something you do not understand ask me about it on the Wonder Squid community click here I may not know the answer but I can find someone who does.

Update on 15th October 2009, my piano lens two days ago was languishing at a rank of 162,800. Obviously time I did something with it. I put in the keywords and it's true to say some new content, which is always important. Yesterday it reached 114,966 and today 50,313. Also I managed to find it on page ten of Google. So these things are worth doing, they do work. Have a go and watch your progress.

Look out for the keyword "piano" 

Sojourn's helpful lens 

A useful resource

My lens which includes other people's lenses on Search Engine Optimization 

A useful collection 

This lens above includes all three of Sojourn's lenses on Search Engine Optimization. I must say how indebted to Erica I am as she started me on this journey. You need to read and digest what is presented in these lenses, but it is probably best to deal with a small portion at a time. Don't give yourself indigestion. Let things seep in slowly. If you don't understand something ask me and I will help, either because I know or because I can find someone who does.

If you like

see what Wikipedia has to say. the more you read the more you will begin to understand

Search Engine Optimization 

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results as opposed to search engine marketing (SEM) which deals with paid inclusion. Typically, the earlier (or higher) a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, video search and industry-specific vertical search engines. This gives a web site web presence.

As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work and what people search for. Optimizing a website primarily involves editing its content and HTML and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines.

The acronym "SEO" can refer to "search engine optimizers," a term adopted by an industry of consultants who carry out optimization projects on behalf of clients, and by employees who perform SEO services in-house. Search engine optimizers may offer SEO as a stand-alone service or as a part of a broader marketing campaign. Because effective SEO may require changes to the HTML source code of a site, SEO tactics may be incorporated into web site development and design. The term "search engine friendly" may be used to describe web site designs, menus, content management systems, images, videos, shopping carts, and other elements that have been optimized for the purpose of search engine exposure.

Another class of techniques, known as black hat SEO or spamdexing, use methods such as link farms, keyword stuffing and article spinning that degrade both the relevance of search results and the user-experience of search engines. Search engines look for sites that employ these techniques in order to remove them from their indices.

Getting started 

The above suggestions should get you started with discovering Search Engine Optimization. For now just pick out the bits you feel happy with and then you can gradually add in the things you find more complicated. I will be adding to this lens as we learn together.

Here's your chance to let me know how you feel 

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Do you think you are ready to cope with SEO

OhMe says:

I still have a lot to learn about SEO and this lens was helpful. Thank you.

Joan4 says:

I wish I had learned more about SEO earlier. After 100 lenses, I finally began to get a small grip on it. :)

blue22d says:

It's not that bad. Like you say, if you don't know you find out. There is tons of info on the Internet regard SEO. Thanks for this lens.

Or is it all too much at the moment?

 

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Lensmaster LizMac60 has been a member since March 21 2009, has rated 248 lenses, favorited 69, and has created 65 lenses from scratch. Elizabeth Mackay donates their royalties to Salvation Army: Indiana Division. This member's top-ranked page is "Bible Characters". See all my lenses

My Bio

Hi! I'm Liz and I am a retired violin/piano teacher.I am also training to be a local preacher with the Methodist Church in the UK

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