If you re dedicated to making search engine optimization (SEO), and the content you place on your website, work to your benefit, you need to understand how the different elements on your page work together to earn your website a high search engine ranking. The more elements you can optimize, the more likely your chances of success. One of the most important things you need to worry about in terms of SEO is duplicate content within the pages of your website. Search engines need to see that each of your pages is described accurately and categorized appropriately. Here are eight elements you need to pay attention you in your efforts to fully optimize your website and its content.
1. URLs. In order to make the most of SEO, your URLs need to be friendly to search engines. Search engines reward websites that include keywords within the URL. Make sure the content management system (CMS) that you’re using allows you to control the URL of each page on your website.
2. Titles. You only get 70 characters with which to title your page, so you need to make every character count, particularly since your title is the most important on page SEO element. Make sure your CMS allows you to create a title separately from your heading. If your content management system doesn’t allow you to do this, you’re putting yourself at a distinct disadvantage.
3. Description. The description metatag allows you to describe the contents of your webpage. It’s very important that each page within the website have its own unique description, as this is what the search engines will display within the search engine results page. If each page doesn’t have its own unique description, then the search engines will simply take content from your page and turn it into the descriptions displayed on the results pages. Be sure your content management system allows you to control your description so that you can make the most of it.
4. Keywords. While many have dismissed the keyword metatag as utterly worthless, you can still use it to your advantage by including long tail keywords that are both specific and relevant to your webpage’s content.
5. Image Names. Search engines also pay attention to the file names that you use for your images. Accurately name each file, and also include relevant keywords. Be sure that your content management system allows you name your own files rather than assigning a random filename to them.
6. ALT Tags for Images. Describe your images accurately using keywords that are relevant to the page where they are located. As always, use a content management system that allows you to add your own captions and ALT text. And also as always, use this element well and make sure it doesn’t sound spammy.
7. Anchor Text. Anchor text refers to the words that you use when you link to other pages within your website. You need a CMS that allows you to control your anchor text. This includes the ability to create your own hyperlink title—the is the title that shows up when your mouse hovers over the link.
8. CSS Menus. CSS dropdown menus go a long way in helping search engines locate your internal pages and index them. Make sure your CMS uses dropdown menus.
If you’re using a content management system, make sure that it allows you to customize the elements listed. These elements, when considered together, have the power to make or break your search engine ranking. When you can use your content to convince the search engines that each of your pages is unique and relevant, you’ll see your search engine ranking improve over time. Make every page look like a cookie cutter, or use CMS generated filenames and descriptions, however, and you eliminate the possibility of making every single element work to your advantage.
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