8 Useful SEO Techniques Every Webmaster Should Know

8 Useful SEO Techniques Every Webmaster Should Know
Every webmaster should have some basic understanding of
these simple SEO techniques if they want to achieve Top
Rankings for their site. The more you know about these
Search Engine Optimization techniques; the better your web
pages will fare in the different search engines, especially
Google.

Optimizing your pages for the search engines should be your
main priority because conquering and dominating your chosen
keywords is often cited as one of the major determining
factors in the success of your online site or business. You
must have a rudimentary grasp of how SEO can work for you
and your site.

These simple SEO Tips will help you understand the basics
and help you reach your online goals.

1. Title Tag

The Title Tag is located at the top of your html page and
it tells the search engines what your page is about. When
you open your page in a browser these are the words at the
very top of the screen. Despite its simplicity, the title
tag is crucial to 'on-page optimization'; it should include
your main keywords and it should be 63 characters or less
if you want your title to appear in full on Google.

Many SEO experts create web pages in a three-prong
approach. They place the title in:

- the title tag - on the webpage itself - and in the URL
for that page

Sometimes they will just pick the main keywords from the
title and place them in the anchor url instead. For
example: www.yourwebsite.com/keywords.html

3. Meta Description Tag

The Meta Tag contains the description for your web page.
Your description will show up in all the search engines so
you have to be careful to write precisely and objectively.
It should be about 140 characters or around 20 words. Make
sure to include your keywords but don't spam - don't repeat
your keywords more than twice, using variations is helpful.

Keep in mind, successful webmasters make their descriptions
stand out from the crowd and entice the surfer to click
their link. It is also the first contact with your
potential visitor or prospect so make a good first
impression.

3. Anchor Tag or URL

The anchor tag is used to form links within websites or
from site to site. This tag should have your title or the
main keywords from your page title to be the most effective.

Anchor text is also important to know, these are the
underlined, clickable text or words in a link. <*A
HREF="url"> anchor text <*/A>

If you want to check Google for all web pages containing
your keywords in the anchor tags.

Just type into Google Search:

allinanchor:yourkeywords

4. Finding Backlinks

One of the keys to higher rankings is building quality
links from relevant related quality sites. The search
engines, especially Google, counts each link as a "vote"
for your site or content. Many experts suggest you include
your main keywords in the anchor text of these inbound
links in order to rank high.

If you want to find the number of backlinks your site has.

Just type into Google Search:

link:yourURL

and it will give you the number of backlinks you have.

Google doesn't give you all your existing backlinks, so you
can try Yahoo! to find a more exact number.

Just open Yahoo! and type in: linkdomain:yourURL

5. Checking Indexed Pages

If is very important for you to know what content the
search engines have indexed from your site. You can also
check to see how your links are displayed and to see if any
titles or descriptions are missing from your pages.

You can see how many of your pages are indexed in Google by
using the site command.

Just type into Google Search:

site:yourURL

Another way to look at your pages in Google is to type in
"http://yoursite" and "www.yoursite" with the quotation
marks to see the exact number of listings for each.

6. Checking Google Cache

You can also check to see the Google Cache of your site by
using the cache command. You will also discover when it was
last retrieved.

Just type into Google Search:

cache:yourURL

7. Finding Associated Keywords

Keywords are the heart of the Internet, you must dominate
the search engines for your chosen keywords if you are to
succeed online. So make sure you have your main keywords in
the Meta Keyword Tag on your page. Many experts suggest you
place your page's main keywords in the first and last 25
words on that page.

You must also be able to find and use variations of your
keywords to completely conquer your targeted niche. To find
what other keywords Google has associated with your main
keywords, just use the tilde ~ command to find associated
phrases in Google.

Just type into Google search:

~keywords

Variations will be highlighted in bold print.

8. Finding Titled Keywords

If you want to find competing sites that have your keywords
in the title just use the allintitle command.

Just type into Google search:

allintitle:yourkeywords

In summary, if used consistently, these basic SEO
techniques should help improve your rankings and keep you
in the picture with regards to your standings in the search
engines. Your site's stats or raw traffic logs will also
confirm the rise or fall of your keyword rankings. You must
have complete knowledge of both your site and your keywords
in the search engines, especially Google. Since Google will
deliver most of your quality traffic, you must optimize for
it and be aware of what is happening to your site and
keywords within Google. This is yet another example where
knowledge equals success.

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The author is now a full-time web marketer who regularly
sells 1000's of dollars worth of affiliate
products/services each day. He owns and runs numerous
websites, including two sites on Internet marketing. For
the latest web marketing tools try:
http://www.bizwaremagic.com
or http://www.marketingtoolguide.com
2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed
if this resource box stays attached.