The Basics of Website Optimisation

There has been a lot written about website optimisation or search engine optimisation and it can all become confusing. I use the term website optimisation for what you can do to your website. Each page needs to be considered separately and the rules followed for each. This article will give you some advice and tips on what you must do to each page.

Although search engine optimisation involves a lot more than the work you do to your website it is really important to get that right. With top quality website optimisation you can ensure that your site is just right for top rankings in the search engines. In order to get that top ranking follow the below steps:

1. Optimise your title tag

For each page on your website you should select the keywords that you want that page to appear in the search engines for. Then your chosen keyword should be placed in the title tag of you web page. The title tag determines the title of your web page; this is what appears at the top of your web browser. This title shows the search engines and your visitors what the page is about.

2. Optimise your URLs

Your URLs are basically the address of each page and people can type them in to go directly to that page. You will see many websites with abstract, non-descript URLs and these are completely pointless. Try to have your website set up so that your keywords appear in the URL for each page. Again this is vital for search engines as it shows them what a page is about.

3. Optimise your Headers

All web pages will have headings within the text. Try to incorporate your keywords here and show the search engines that those terms are really important to that page. This is either a tag that you can add to the code or any good CMS will allow you to define your headers.

4. Optimise your content

When we talk about content we mean the main body text that appears on your web page. There are some simple things to take into account. Firstly it is vital that your keywords appear in your content. You should aim to have between 400 and 600 words on your webpage and your keyword should be about 3% of your content and should always appear in the first paragraph. The last sentence should be taken with a pinch of salt. It is a good general rule but you should always check what your competitors are doing. For example, if you look at the top 10 sites and their average keyword density is 10% then you should be aiming along that line rather than the general.

5. Optimise your Images

If you have images on your web page your will want to name them. This is done through the use of an alt tag in the code for your website. Try and include your keywords in any images on your web page to add extra weight to them.

6. Optimise your links

You will have links all over your web page, if you can include your keywords in these then great. The more relevant places you can include your keywords the better. Don’t do it artificially but if you have other content that is relevant, link to it and use your keywords.

All of the above are good starting blocks but you need to review, check and update your website optimisation on a regular basis. This is not a do and leave process.

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