search engine placement Archives - Page 3 of 3 by Mark Murnahan

SEO in a Nutshell

I have written many volumes on the topic of search engine optimization (SEO) but a question was recently presented to me that required a nutshell answer of SEO. In only a few words, I will tell you what SEO is, and how it can benefit you. In fact, I will explain why your Website simply cannot do without SEO. I will leave out the statistics, Voodoo, and snake oil and give it to you simple and easy.

The Nutshell SEO

SEO is, the practice of improving the qualities of a Website in order to be better indexed in search engines. In very non-technical terms, SEO makes it possible that when somebody goes to their favorite search engine, usually Google, and searches for something, that they find your listing at or near the top of the list.

SEO is not just for big corporations. It can be effectively harnessed for even the least suspecting companies. More now than ever, people are using the internet when they need anything from a lawn service, a plumber, electrician, etcetera. They are not just seeking any lawn service, plumber, or electrician, they are searching for a lawn service, plumber, or electrician in Topeka Kansas (your city here).

Effective SEO is best based on a high quality, well programmed Website to start with. This makes SEO both a technical as well as artistic trade (related post).

How Does SEO Affect Your Business?

When a search is performed for terms relating to your industry, the search engine user will generally only look at the top few results. If your Website is not listed within the top ten, your odds of getting the searcher’s business is dramatically reduced. Adding insult to injury, somebody else likely did receive the business you have passed up.

SEO for Mom and Pop

A lot of smaller companies have questioned how this may concern them. The industry is such now that the cost of missed opportunities is quickly surpassing the cost of effective Website development and SEO. You should know that this same search engine user is not just entering the search term “plumber”, they are searching for a “plumber in Topeka Kansas”, (or electrician, lawn service, etcetera).

SEO Nutshell Summary

Just consider how you use the Internet, and how you find your way. If you go to the local telephone book for your electrician, lawn service, or plumber, you have become the minority. The longer you wait, the harder the SEO pill will be to swallow.

Author Mark Murnahan is the Chairman and CEO of YourNew.com, Inc. and provides SEO consulting services to companies and non-profit organizations. Mark Murnahan may be reached toll free at 866-A-Web-Guy (*REDACTED DUE TO AGING WEBSITE*) for consultation.

H1 Tags Improve Search Engine Placement

Effective search engine optimization involves many factors. Ranking highest in importance is providing informative content with proper page layout and programming. Much consideration should be made to your proper use of heading tags. A good example of the h1 tag is the heading of this paragraph. It is used to define the content of the page, and for proper document layout. Whether is it a Web page or a newspaper, every written article should have a proper heading. On the Internet, we use the h1 tag. Examples of h1 usage are given below.

Let’s examine the importance of h1 tags and how they are viewed by search engines.

Note: Heading tags represent only a small portion of search engine optimization and Website usability. There is a reason that dentists do root canals and that Internet marketers do Websites. In order to achieve the best search engine optimization results, be sure that you have the right professional doing the job. Call YourNew.com at 877-898-9500 for SEO.

Heading Tags Improve Search Engine Placement

Although there is no “sure-fire” way to get to the top of search engine results, this is an important way to improve your chances. This will not guarantee you top placement, but in combination with many other search engine optimization factors, it will be very helpful. There is no substitute for professional search engine optimization from people whom have dedicated their career to this field.

In this article, we will address an old school technique that has always been important, but yet, one that many Web developers overlook as they compromise Website content for appearance. To emphasize, I would like to explain that a Website without viewers is like a billboard in your basement. Regardless how interactive, fun, or visually captivating your site is, if it is not seen, it will not benefit you. Using heading tags, I will show you a way to keep the appearance of your site pleasing, while better defining your Website content for visitors, including search engines.

Allow me to note that most of what is included in search engines is put there by a computer, known as a “robot”, “spider”, or “crawler”. These are computers that use what you tell them to build a database of relevant information to serve out to the people requesting it. If you tell them the wrong things, or don’t tell them the right things, they will not give you the results you are looking for.