The Basics of SEO in 2012

SEO, the short form of Search Engine Optimization, is a modern marketing tool mainly used to promote internet businesses. It is the creative use of keywords by business owners to improve their online visibility through a high ranking by search engines. This tool has become so popular that even offline merchants are using it to achieve their marketing goals.

In order to benefit from SEO, you need to learn how to use keywords. Search engines use keywords to rank your website. To be ranked high on popular search engines, you need to make use of the most appropriate keywords. Keywords are the gateway to your business, since your customers find you through keywords. Therefore, when selecting keywords for your site, you need to have the customer in mind and think about all possible search terms they are likely to type as they search for the products you offer. Google has a keyword tool that helps you generate the most appropriate keywords for your site. You need to have primary and secondary keywords. Secondary keywords are often referred to as LSI terms, and these are variations of the primary keyword.

LSI terms are used to make your site friendly to search engines such as Google. The keyword density affects your ranking. A keyword density of 2 per cent is favorable enough, but exceeding a density of 4 per cent can drop your ranking so that your customers will only find you on the last page of search results. A low ranking occurs when you do not use the right keywords, or when you over use the primary keywords. If your site displays on the first page of search results, you are likely to increase the number of clients, expand your market and make more sales. This is the chief purpose of SEO.

Another thing you need to know about SEO is keyword distribution. You can use social media to attract new clients, but this often happens through directory submissions. When you are submitting your website link to directories, you are required to provide a short description of your business. This meta description is usually about two sentences long. The way you distribute your keywords in this description, technically referred to as meta description, determines the number of visitors you receive on your site. It is recommended that you use the primary keyword within the first 60 characters. If possible, place it at the beginning of the first sentence. This way, customers will find you easily. In addition, this use of SEO helps keep you ahead of competition since customers can find you easier than your competitors.

Keyword distribution in the main site content also matters. On the home page, you are required to write a few paragraphs describing what you do. Use the keyword on the first sentence of the first paragraph, and the last sentence of the last paragraph. Try to use its variations within the body, but strive to maintain a density of about 3 per cent. This way, you will be able to reach out to the relevant people within a very limited time and through very minimal efforts. SEO helps you advertise your business to the most relevant people, thus giving you a chance to make sales.