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 a full-time web marketer who regularly
sells 1000's of dollars worth of affiliate products/services
online each day. He runs two sites on Internet marketing.
For the latest web marketing information try: Internet Marketing Tools
or Marketing Tool Guide
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely
distributed if this resource box stays attached.