by Thu Nguyen

Created on: September 19, 2010   Last Updated: September 21, 2010

In order to understand what mistakes one should avoid, let's look at what should be done to a website so that it will rank well in the search engines. When you understand what is necessary, it would be of less trouble to you when you start optimizing your pages. So let's get into the meat of the SEO process that benefits the user in several ways - page rank, backlinks and indexed pages. While we're discussing the why, you'll see the common mistakes as well so you can avoid them.

On-site Optimization

There are three areas to which SEO are normally implemented - title, meta keyword and description. When content is distributed, catering to these portions of the page will ensure that the search engines will find the topic much more better. Furthermore, you're doing a service for the user who wants to find your content online.

So having the keyword once in the title, then in the article at least 2-4 more times and the description are enough. Any more then you are putting your site at risk for becoming spam. Google, in particular, changes the way they do their searches often. So they pick up on sites that are desperate for attention. Just follow the standard practices and when the rules do change, you won't have to worry.

Another factor which helps boost ranking is the frequency in updates. Blogs in general practice this rule and because they put out content frequently, search engines love them. Thus, they tend to rank well when it comes to SEO practices. Therefore, not updating your site often in terms of content is another on-site optimization hazard. Unless you've really optimized your site well, the keywords will lose it's luster as another competitor pushes with you to reach the top of the rankings. Thus, it's a consistent effort to rank high in the search engines.

Off-site Optimization

Backlinks are known to be links that link to websites and online this is known as giving a little link love. You're basically sharing a part of your rank with another and if they're 'dofollow', they'll build a relationship with you as well. However, keep in mind that not all websites will be considered link builders. Unless they're like yourself focusing on growth, the spammy ones will find their way to try to build links with you as well. This is a downfall as many will think that because they have links it's all good. No it isn't.

Using Alexa, one can determine the status of a site's backlink history, page rank and indexed pages. Furthermore, looking at the site physically in design and updates will give one an idea if building likes with them is worthwhile. If so, proceed through commenting on the content they produce. The more they put out, the more opportunities for you to initiate contact. In turn, you'll both be rising the ranks and grow steadily.

Another off-site tactic is through article marketing which links back to your own site. Article directories such as Helium and Ezine Articles are known to have high page ranks and they also provide link love. Connecting to them will be fine. Just don't put irrelevant links because they let you write freely. Doing so will ban you as well as the content you put out, which means no link love.

In general, be careful with what you do online. Sticking to standard practices through on-site optimization such as promotion through the title, keywords within the article and description plus consistently updating content, will help a website rank well long-term. Furthermore, once those practices are familiarize, off-site optimization techniques such as commenting and article marketing will help more. Keep it simple, keep it less and no mistakes will be made.

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