Search Engine Optimization, or “SEO” for short, is the process of increasing a website’s value in the eyes of the search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, ASK, etc.) which will in turn improve a website’s rankings as a result of a search query.

The benefit of higher rankings typically results in increased traffic to a website, which will bring larger numbers of “conversions.” Those conversions may be email captures through new newsletter sign-ups, requests for quotes, donations to your cause, new appointments, phone calls to your company, or outright purchases of your products.

The first step in increasing a website’s traffic is optimized keyword ranking. (If you haven’t already taken advantage of our Free Keyword Ranking Report, please submit a request for one now.)

Once you know your best/most effective keywords, then you can begin to plan your internal and external Search Engine Optimization, plus you’ll know the words that will be important for Navigation Links on your site, Category heading, sub-directories titles, image names and descriptions, and most importantly, the content you offer/display on your site. Those keywords will be additionally important as “anchor text” used in links both inside your site, and for links pointing back to your site.

Realize that Search Engine Optimization is a process, not a destination. The Internet is an ever-changing universe- just when you thought you had everything in place, along comes a new phenomenom (Facebook, Twitter, social media), new competitors enter your market, previous methods and techniques become outdated, and the search engines change the rules. Because of that, it’s typical to review your SEO strategy/Internet Marketing campaign every six months to make sure you’re still in the game.

There are no “tricks” to search engine optimization. Using the best ranking and placement techniques will allow you to beat your competition by placing higher in the search engines for your desired keywords and keyword phrases.