Indie Web Publisher

This post is the primary reason I decided to create this blog. I get asked this question every day by webmasters and by potential clients: "How can I get top placement on Google?" or "How can I get my site on the first page of Google?"

I wish I had an answer that would work for everybody, but unfortunately I don't. And even if I did, it could be useless by the next time Google changes their algorithms.

There is no magic-bullet easy approach to search engine optimization, particularly with Google. But through using some basic principals, I have had quite a bit of luck. One of my largest clients was on page four of results for their desired keywords, and a few months after I redesigned their site, they were at #1. I should have added $15,000 onto the bill, because, seriously, it would be more than worth it to them. The #1 ranking was achieved without any tricks, just sold site building and patience.

There is no service that you can pay that can ethically guarantee you specific results. You're just going to waste your money.

I will be writing a few "tutorial" type posts that go into greater detail. But let me use this post to introduce the basic concepts.

1. Build your pages clean. Try to use CSS for as much as possible. Try to stay away from Javascript. At the very least make sure your Javascript is linked and not in the page itself.

2. Make sure your links are clean. For example, make the links descriptive and as human-sounding as possible. If you are using a content management system, use a htaccess file to rewrite your URLs. If you have lots of articles, try to get keywords into your URL.

3. Get people to link to you. This is known as backlinking. If you are using blogging software that supports trackbacks, take advantage of this feature. For all other link trades, etc. I would encourage you to have sites link to your home page as opposed to an interior page. The more backlinks you have the higher your PageRank will be.

4. Don't give away links on your homepage. This will reduce your Page Rank. If a site with higher Page Rank than you wants to swap links, then do it. Otherwise, trade links on an interior page somewhere.

5. Content. Content. Content.

6. Let your text be text. Don't use graphics for headers or pull quotes. You want as much searchable text on your pages as possible. If you want something fancy, use CSS to style your page elements.

7. Use a footer at the bottom of all your pages with HTML links to all your main sections.

8. Build a sitemap that is easily accessed through your home page. Link to as many of your site pages as possible. Once again, CMS or blogging software can help a lot with this.

9. Update your site a lot. Update every day with good, authentic content and you will see your statistics rising. If your site is a blog or anything close to it, ping as many sites as possible.

10. Be patient. You are in this for the long haul.

I will be elaborating on most of these points in days to come.