Where I Learned SEO: Free Resources
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Free SEO Tutorials and a Few Useful SEO Blogs
SEO is a never-ending learning process...but where do you start? I'd like to share with you the free resources that helped me learn basic search engine optimization.
Some of the free SEO guides I read when I started are gone. Others I've since learned are lousy. But the SEO resources I've listed here are plenty to get you started. They'll give you a basic foundation in search engine optimization, the number one way to get traffic to web pages.
Some of the free SEO guides I read when I started are gone. Others I've since learned are lousy. But the SEO resources I've listed here are plenty to get you started. They'll give you a basic foundation in search engine optimization, the number one way to get traffic to web pages.
One-Page Guides and Quick Tutorials
SEO Posts and Guides That Got Me Started
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) means various methods for making your site attractive to search engines so they send you traffic. One common way is to research what terms people are searching for (keywords) that are related to your topic, and then writing your page and/or creating links that help show search engines your page is relevant to those searches.
- 15 Minute SEO on Webconfs
- Webconfs was my training wheels for SEO, and I still use their spider simulator. Their SEO checklist is at least 5 years old and a little outdated -- ignore the keyword density advice -- but this will help a newbie learn where to use keywords to show search engines their page is relevant to those topics.
- AJ's How to Research Keywords
- Knowing where and how to use keywords is good. Knowing how to research keywords will actually bring traffic is better!
- Fluffanutta on Making the Most of Squidoo Tags
- This could also apply to the tagging system on any blog or website that uses tags. How do you use them for SEO?
- Why Most SEO Advice is Bunk - Captain Squid
- Again, this is Squidoo-specific, but also applies to blog posts or other SEO.
- SEO Myths and the Power of Repetition
- Michael Martinez of SEO-Theory continues to remind me that I don't know anything about SEO, and much of the common wisdom being bandied around out there may be outmoded or never was actually true.
- Improve Search Engine Placement: Newbie Lesson
- This is a guide by PotPieGirl who makes a killing in affiliate marketing on Squidoo. She walks you through a free tool and procedure for optimizing and testing your page. I disagree with her on some things, but again, it's not a bad place for newbies to start.
- Why Linkbuilding Sucks
- A professional SEO consultant discusses how pros do linkbuilding. Hint: it doesn't involve spamming guestbooks or forum signatures.
Important!
Free Download: Google on SEO
Google is only one search engine. And Google doesn't tell us everything. However, when Google DOES tell us something, it's wise to listen. Here's what Google hands out as their newbie guide to search engine optimization.
A Warning About Free SEO Guides
Take With a Grain of Salt -- Or a Whole Salt Shaker
The more you learn about SEO, the more you learn to question. In the world of SEO, there's a constant game of broken telephone: people endlessly repeat "common SEO wisdom" without verifying it through careful testing. There are SEO myths and SEO controversies. And of course, search engines are always changing their algorithms to improve them and avoid being manipulated by shady SEO tactics. Therefore, what worked 2 years ago won't necessarily work now.So not everything we read is spot-on.
Unfortunately, the only way to really learn SEO is by extensive testing and experimentation. But we don't have forever, do we? We need traffic to our sites now! And we need a starting point.
That starting point is learning simple SEO techniques from free resources and guides. Try out what you learn, then watch Squidoo traffic stats carefully to see which keywords, which backlinks, which methods you used are bringing traffic.
Visitors are your best teachers. Pay attention to what they do.
Sites and Blogs Where I Learned SEO
For More In-Depth Browsing and Study
- SEO Theory - SEO Theory and Analysis Blog
- Classicist Michael Martinez went into the SEO industry about 10 years ago and has been doing high-level SEO for clients. I know how obsessive compulsive a researcher he is from previous work, so I know that when he makes a claim, he's got a ton of research and testing behind that claim.
- SEOmoz
- SEOmoz is where many SEO experts hang out, so there's a lot of wisdom here, and a certain amount of broken telephone. This is definitely a site to check out, if you want to start improving search engine optimization.
- Search Engine Optimization - Search Engine Guide Blog
- On the practical rather than theoretical side, I've picked up a ton of tips from the Search Engine Guide for Small Businesses website. I've found it very readable and helpful.
- Internet Marketing Help from PotPieGirl
- I hesitate to include this one, as it's not really on the same caliber as SEOmoz and SEO-theory. However, I've learned a lot from this site during my early forays into web traffic generation, and I still use a few of the tricks i first learned about here. PotpieGirl is a very successful affiliate marketer who started out on Squidoo and still uses it as home base.
Guestbook
If you read even half of the guides above, you'll know more on SEO than 90% of the web.
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GrinningFool
Feb 11, 2011 @ 2:38 pm | delete
- Good information! Thanks for the list of SEO information sources.
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Cumberland
Feb 9, 2011 @ 5:34 pm | delete
- Thanks. Again.
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My SEO Tutorials
Just a Few (Bonus: How to use Squidoo Categories for SEO)
by Greekgeek
Storyteller, former Latin teacher, student of mythology and the ancient world: I've worn many hats, but always I've dabbled in computers and the web.
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SquidBits: My Squidoo Blog
Tips, SEO, and Tests
All My Squidoo Tutorials
Well, Most of Them, Anyway
One Book I've Found Useful for SEO
And More Importantly, For Conversion
Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets
Amazon Price: $21.07 (as of 06/04/2012)
I've bought at least a few books on SEO, conversion (how to turn visitors into users, readers, buyers), and website design. This book brings together a lot on basic search engine optimization, plus how to write effective webpages that funnel traffic in the direction you want them to go, whether it's buying something, reading your content, or clicking on a link to a site/blog you want them to see.
