Top 11 Search Engine Optimisation Tips

SEO Tip #1

Make sure your site is built in an SEO-friendly CMS

The content management system that your site is built can play a substantial role in your SEO success (or failure). Some, unfortunately, can have many limitations that don’t allow for an SEO friendly website. Read more about technical SEO optimisation.

SEO Tip #2

Create Link-Worthy Content.

Include content on your site that is so useful/interesting/helpful that other websites want to link to you. It goes without saying that what you write about should be related to your industry or topic.

SEO Tip #3

Create Valuable Content.

Write unique, original content about whatever it is you want to be found for, that will answer the “searcher’s” query. Google won’t list your site for the information you don’t mention, and you won’t gain your visitor’s trust if the content is terrible or irrelevant.

SEO Tip #4

Use Friendly URLs.

This helps both search engines and people to see what the page is about in search engines. Which URL would you rather click?

• www.e-cbd.com.au/web-design-services.html or
• www.e-cbd.com.au/index.ph?_8242&prod?

This goes hand in hand with Tip #1 – your CMS might not allow for friendly URLs.

SEO Tip #5

Create Unique, Descriptive, Accurate Page Titles

Create unique title tags for each page and use brief, but descriptive titles. You have 66 characters, make them count. Don’t stuff your title full of the keywords you want to come up for. It’s people (your customers) that will read this, not simply search engines.

SEO Tip #6

Use the META Description Tag.

While meta descriptions don’t necessarily contribute to your rankings, its always a good idea to carefully construct this description. Accurately summarise the page’s content – write a unique description that would both inform and interest users if they saw your description tag as a snippet in a search result.

SEO Tip #7

Use Heading Tags.

Heading tags are used to present structure and hierarchy on the page to users. E.g. <h1> for the main heading on the page, then <h2> ‘s and <h3> ‘s for subheadings. Use keywords in your headings but don’t overdo it. It should be an accurate heading for the content on that page.

SEO Tip #8

Use ‘Alt’ Tags on Your Images.

Alt tags are descriptions of images that help search engines determine what the image is of. Don’t stuff them full of keywords. Be descriptive and accurate.

SEO Tip #9

Use These FREE Tools from Google.

Google Webmaster Tools for data, tools and diagnostics for a healthy, Google-friendly site. Install Google Analytics and learn statistics about your website and it’s visitors. All you have to do is sign up for a free account and install the tracking code on your website.

SEO Tip #10

Google Places and local citations

Businesses with a local presence should have a verified Google Places listing, as well as accurate listings on local business directories. These act as citations for your site, and should accurately reflect your company’s NAP (Business Name, Address & Phone).

Claim any existing listings (here’s a great tip on how to find where you’re already listed) and fill out your profiles. Here’s a list of directories that we recommend and use for clients, as well as tips for great listings.

SEO Tip #11

Read! Learn what SEO is and what’s involved.

• SEO Tips & Resources (by e-CBD)
• SEO Starter Guide (by Google)
• Webmaster Guidelines (by Google)
• How Search Works (by Google)
• SEO Beginners Guide (by Moz)