by iatanasov
8. June 2007 12:30
What is Search Engine Optimization?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your web
pages and getting links into your site in order to achieve the highest
search engine rankings possible for your keywords/phrases.
Is SEO a bad thing?
No, not at all. Ethical SEO isn't a tool used to "trick" the search engines into ranking your pages higher than they deserve to be ranked.
Ethical SEO is simply a way to help your pages rank well compared to
pages of similar quality and relevancy, making them easier for visitors
to find. It also makes the search engine results for your pages'
keywords better for the search engine's users.
Of course unethical SEO also exists. Tactics such as using
hidden text, keyword spamming, participation in link farms, etc. is bad
for the search engines because they skew the search results and make
them less relevant to the user's query.
The search engines don't like this so they penalize (or even ban) sites that use them whenever they catch them.
Do I really need to optimize my site for the search engines?
Absolutely! The old adage "If I build it they will come" certainly
doesn't apply to web pages. You can have the very best, most
professional looking website in the world, but if nobody finds it it's
useless.
The use of ethical and effective SEO techniques will help potential visitors find your
web pages when they do a web search on your relevant keywords/phrases.
In a nutshell, your pages will no longer be many pages down in the
search engine results pages (SERPS). They might even end up on the
first page!
How do I go about optimizing my website?
There are many ethical SEO professionals offering their services on the
web, but if you have the time, desire, and ability, you can perform
your own SEO services after reading and studying the free SEO
information and tutorials that are widely available on the Internet.
You can get started with our very own highly popular
(and free) Webmaster SEO Toolkit.