Everyone knows that search engine optimization is important if you want a top-ranked site. But SEO can also seem complex and mysterious. The truth is that while SEO
is a little bit complicated, it's not at all mysterious. There's
a process to it. If you remember that your
goal is revenue, and
if you follow the process, you'll succeed.
Five Steps to SEO Success
While a full SEO program involves many details, there are only five steps you need to remember if you want to get, and stay, on the first page of search engine results.
Step 1: Include relevant, high-quality content
Make sure that your website and blog have relevant, high-quality content, with keywords written into the copy in a way that's natural, compelling, and that drives sales.
(Note: If you already have a website created by C3 Advertising, you already have that. In addition, every time we add new content to your site, we automatically run through the SEO process to increase your content's effectiveness. The same is true of our content services.)
Step 2: Make sure your site's structure and code support SEO.
You don't have to know how to do this. You only have to choose an agency that does it automatically. Like C3 Advertising. For more information, see Websites: The Semantic Web on this site.
Step 3: Drive qualified traffic to your site
You don't need everybody in the world. You don't want everybody, because driving everybody to your site is expensive and wasteful. You only want people who want to buy what you have to sell. In other words, qualified leads. You won't accomplish this step with a stand-alone SEO effort. It takes the full power of your complete marketing strategy.
Step 4: Update content frequently
Update your site or blog frequently, again with relevant, high-quality content. (See note in Step 1.)
Step 5: Remind yourself that search-engine rankings are a tool, not a goal
Continually remind yourself that reaching the top of Google search engine rankings is not a goal. It's a tool to help you achieve your goal—more sales, and more revenue.
A Simple Reminder Of What Really Counts
The Holy Grail of SEO, of course, is to be near the top of natural results on the first page of Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines. Organizations tend to focus so intently on that goal that they forget why they want to be there: to drive qualified leads to their site.
If you remember this simple fact, you'll be more relaxed about SEO. You'll spend your SEO budget wisely. And you'll be less likely to fall for SEO scams.
It's so important to keep SEO in perspective that we've created this handy little reminder.
Download the PDF, pin it to your bulletin board, or tape it to your monitor. Cut it up and share the other two with colleagues. (Actually, it's just paper, so you can print out as many as you need.)
Enjoy, and prosper.
