Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a method of increasing the number of hits to a particular website through a search engine. It is also used to create better hits to the website. This is different from SEM (search engine marketing) which is the placement of websites in the results of searches for a fee.
Successfully optimizing search engine results is crucial for many small to mid-sized companies. SEO is an effective means for companies to implement the branding of its name, products, or services. The objective is to have whatever is being branded come as close to the top of the search engine’s result page as possible. Company or product/service standing on the result page can lead to the building of brand recognition.
‘Push’ marketing strategies like TV and radio ads and billboards are becoming less popular as the ‘pull’ campaigns are growing in popularity. This is because businesses are realizing that money is being spent to get the message out to people who may or may not be interested. SEO ‘pulls’ in a consumer who has already expressed some interest in your product or service by performing the internet search.
Selecting the proper keyword is imperative to successful results. Keywords for SEO are words (or phrases) that determine the category under which the company falls. Selecting the wrong keywords can mean loss of potential visits to the site.
Also critical is where the keywords are placed on the site. The more your keywords are placed on your site, the more likely it becomes that your site will appear as a search result. Good placements are headlines, subtitles, within paragraphs of description and right above the company logo.
Optimizing your search results is but one step in increasing business. In the end, your number one objective should be to facilitate the best user experience for any prospective customer visiting your website.
Search engine optimization or SEO is the process of maximizing the number and/or quality of web visits to a certain website via a search engine. Search engine optimization should not be confused with SEM or search engine marketing.