SEO Basics

On-Site & Off-Site Ranking Factors

There are two parts to search engine optimization:
1) On-Site optimization
2) Off-Site optimization

On-Site Search Engine Optimization

This involves making changes to your website, such as:

  • Optimizing different pages of your site for different keywords
  • Having your main keywords appear prominently on pages

Here are places where keywords and keyword phrases would go:

  • URL’s (web address)
  • Web page titles
  • Meta-descriptions
  • Page headers (H1 tag, H2 tag)
  • Alt Tags
  • Hyperlink text

Body of Text or Content

Use your chosen keywords in the actual body text of your web pages. Make sure your sentences make sense and are not a bunch of gibberish with random usage of keywords. Your paragraphs should be powerful, well-written, and should focus on the keyword you want to target.

It is also a good idea to include links on your site to trusted outside websites. This builds trust for users and is a ranking factor for search engines. 

Off-Site Search Engine Optimization

This optimization involves making changes to other websites, such as:

Getting other sites to link to you.

Search engines rely heavily on indicators from other websites to determine your position in results. Posts, links, mentions and shares are important to give your site the authority it needs and constitutes an essential element of your SEO campaign. 

Your authority building strategy could include:

  • Creating content that is shareable
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Article Publishing
  • Podcasts
  • Webinars
  • Videos
  • Listings on local and industry websites
  • Links on the webs sites of partners, suppliers and clients