Whenever I start a new website development project, I ask the customer for a list of the keywords and phrases they would like their site to be listed under.  The intent, of course, is to incorporate those keywords into the website content so that Google, and the other major search engines, will then index the site using those keywords.

 

Over the years, I've noticed that the quality of the lists I get back tend to vary wildly.  Sometimes, I get lists of vendors or product names of items being sold on the website.  Other times I get lists of terms related to the technical aspects of the items, such as ingredients or parts lists. 

 

Perhaps the most important advice I can give regarding keywords is to think about it from your customer's perspective.  The whole purpose of picking keywords is to enable your customers to find your website, so it only makes sense to pick words and phrases that are of importance to them. 

 

For example, if you sell little green pills that relieve pain, the term Ibuprofen might seem like a good choice, and it may get you a few hits. However if you think about it from the customers point of view - they're not searching for Ibuprofen, they're actually searching for headache medicine or pain relievers, both of which would likely be more effective keyword choices.

 

Another downside of technical terms like Ibuprofen is that they are prone to misspellings.  Although search engines are getting better at dealing with misspellings (You typed Ibuprophen, did you mean Ibuprofen?), it still makes your site harder to find.  Of course, if there's one common misspelling of an important keyword, it may worthwhile to make a second version of a particular page and purposely misspell the keyword as a means of gaining that traffic.

 

Another important consideration in certain cases is geography.  For example, if you're an interior designer in Hartford, it doesn't do much good to be found by users in Seattle.  In this instance, your keywords should be qualified with a geographical reference - Hartford interior designers or interior designers in Connecticut.  Just be sure not to restrict your choices too much.  It's obviously better to have too much traffic than too little.

 

Unfortunately, finding the perfect keywords, and website optimization techniques are an inexact science at best.  There are tools available on the web (WordTracker, WebCEO, Google, etc.) to assist in the effort, but they can be difficult to learn and the process takes time.  Furthermore, it's an on-going process.  Even after you've achieved page one on Google, the process must continue as your competition strives to overtake you. 

 

As a result of this iterative process, search engine optimization tends to be rather expensive to the small business owner.  This leads many to forego the process and to rely on common sense and business savvy in picking keywords and phrases for their website.  This approach can be effective if it's combined with good text content, that is written from the customer's perspective.

I got into search engine optimization (SEO) back in 1998. It sure has changed a lot since then. Back in the day you could use invisible text, load keywords to the point of overflowing and fill META tags with anything even close to what you had on your page. And you could do well on Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista; all the biggies. Not anymore.

Today SEO is about a 75% / 25% split between links and content, with inbound links being the most important thing. Especially on Google. When all is said and done, you can get to the top of Google in just two simple steps. Seriously. I've done it hundreds of times and it's easier than you'd imagine.

Step 1: Develop Great Content
Writing great SEO content is a snap if you follow this simple 5 step formula...

1.) Write naturally as if speaking with a friend. Record yourself actually speaking to a friend about the topic of your Web page and it will all come together automatically.

2.) Limit each page to 2 to 3 keywords or keyword phrases.

3.) Mention each keyword no more than 4 times per page and split the usage somewhat equally between paragraphs. Two mentions of your most important keyword in the first paragraph is the only real exception. And be sure you mention each toward the end of the page to show overall consistency and topic authenticity.

4.) Try to incorporate the first mention of each keyword into hyperlink anchor text. The link should lead to another page of your site. (Note: The keyword would then be the clickable text leading to your other page.)

5.) Have between 150 and 250 words of text per keyword. So if you have 3 keywords on one page, you will have about 600 words on that page, in total.

That's the quick and dirty SEO content writers course. And believe me, it works!

 

When we first put up our swimming pool, my wife and I had no kids, and the only trees in our yard were barely taller than me.  Now, our kids (and all of their friends) are teenagers who are constantly hopping in and out of the pool, and the trees provide a steady stream of leaves (and various other things) falling into the pool.  As a result I'm forever vacuuming and pouring various chemicals into the pool in an effort to keep the water clean.

 

If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then you should check out Unique Solutions.  They carry two primary product lines that help to reduce the burden of keeping your pool water clean.  Their line of "Pool Secret" products will help to keep your water crystal clear all year long (yes, even over the winter).  You'll also use less chlorine and other harsh chemicals, which is good for your wallet, your swimmers, and the environment. 

 

Unique Solutions also carries the line of Jacques Giordano Outdoor Solar Showers.  These showers allow swimmers to take a warm-water shower before entering the pool, and/or after exiting the pool.  They're great for keeping grass and leaves out of the pool and out of the house.  They attach to your water supply via a standard garden hose, and the water is heated by the energy of the sun.

 

You can visit Unique Solutions on the Internet at www.UniqueSolutionsUSA.com, or email them at sales@UniqueSolutionsUSA.com.