SEO Basics – A Beginner’s Primer
The effective use of SEO is an important aspect of any online marketing strategy. Due to a lack of understanding and the preponderance of black hat SEO firms, may companies cast a weary eye on the practice. As the online marketplace for products and information continues to grow, however, companies who don’t at least consult with an ethical online marketing company are limiting their growth potential.
Much of the negative sentiment surrounding SEO is due to the false assumption that the end goal of optimization efforts is high search engine rankings of certain keyword phrases. High rankings are only a means to an end, however, not an end in and of themselves. All effective SEO campaigns should increase the number of visitors to a website and more importantly increase sales or conversions. To accomplish this effectively, you must figure out the keywords that potential customers search for when researching or buying the products and services you sell.
That is why the value of intelligent keyword research should not be underestimated when beginning an SEO campaign. Before you begin your on-page and off-page optimization efforts, you should thoroughly research which keyword phrases it makes sense to rank for. To do this, you should look at the intent of searchers using certain keywords, keyword volumes, search trends, and keyword commercial value. Developing a strong understanding of the keyword space you’re targeting will enable you to most effectively target phrases that will improve both traffic and conversions.
After you have finished your keyword research, all SEO campaigns should incorporate 3 basic elements: a) Onsite code, tags, and structure best practices; b) Original, relevant content creation; c) Quality link building. There are countless SEO manuals, guides, and insider tips out there, but ultimately, almost all of the SEO practices you’ll find will fit into 1 of these 3 basic areas. Without incorporating all of these elements into your SEO campaign in a well thought out, coordinated manner, your results will leave something to be desired.
Because many companies are skeptical of SEO, they often choose to focus on PPC for their internet marketing efforts. PPC can definitely be an effective tool, but for the most part, working with a quality seo firm will generate more value over the long term. This is because SEO allows you to build an asset that will continue to yield visitors and conversions after your SEO campaign is finished. SEO vs PPC can be compared to buying a house vs. renting an apartment. While buying a house may necessitate a more significant financial and time investment up front, it becomes an asset that with proper upkeep will increase in value. You should remember that like all infrastructure, online properties need consistent upkeep to maintain and enhance their value.
With the rise of Web 2.0 and a plethora of social media websites, incorporating social media marketing into your online strategy will significantly enhance your SEO efforts. Some companies shy away from social media marketing because they’re concerned that writing blog posts, sending out tweets, creating a Facebook page, etc. will take up too much time. While social media strategies can be wide-ranging and complex, they can also be as simple as creating a blog in which you respond to questions, concerns, and feedback from customers. The power of social media lies in its ability to help you strengthen relationships with customers, listen to what people are saying about you, and strengthen your brand. Like SEO, it’s important that all aspects of your social media campaign work together in a cohesive fashion.
Highly Relevant is a Los Angeles SEO firm specializing in search engine optimization, social media marketing, and online reputation management with a focus on delivering tangible, trackable results.
- Rex Freiberger
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