12-Point Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Checklist
Need search engine optimization in a hurry? Here's my take on the 12 most important on-page and off-page SEO factors, and the corresponding resources:
1. Keyword Research
- determine targetted keywords based on your business, search popularity and competition.
Tools: Overture l WordTracker l KeywordDiscovery l NicheBot l Google Keyword Tool
2. Domain Name & Filename
- include targetted keywords in domain name and filename, e.g. this page's filename.
Tools: DomainsBot
3. Meta Tags
- optimize title, description and keyword tags based on targetted keywords and competition.
Tools: WideXL l Robots.txt Generator
4. Markups
- apply the necessary H1, H2, H3, bold and italic markups to your keywords.
Tools: none
5. Keyword Density
- ensure 2-4% keyword density for your targetted keywords and phrases.
Tools: WideXL
6. Keyword Prominence
- have the keywords appear early in the page, title and tags, i.e. top-left.
Tools: none
7. File Size and Links
- file size <100KB, good internal link structure with keywords and external links to good sites.
Tools: none
8. Sitemaps
- have sitemap page on-site, and submit TXT or XML sitemaps to Google and Yahoo.
Tools: Sitemap Generator l Sitemaps Pal l Google Sitemap l Yahoo Sitemap
9. Depth and Freshness
- add new pages frequently, once a week if possible BUT avoid duplicating content.
Tools: MarketLeap l Cached Pages
10. Flash, Images and Javascript
- bots cannot read flash, images or javascript. Use ALT TXT in images and PHP if possible.
Tools: none
11. Inbound Links (IBLs)
- Keyworded IBLs from similarly-themed sites that look like recommendations & not spam.
Tools: Market Leap l LinkVendor l Page Strength
12. Link Growth and Trusted Sites
- obtain links from "trusted" sites, i.e. older, high PR and good IBLs. Don't grow IBLs too fast.
Tools: Free/Paid Directories l Linkdumps l Press Releases
Commercial: LinkVault l GotLinks l LinkExchanged l LinkMarket
Link Exchange: SitePoint l NamePros l DigitalPoint
Note: get more SEO tips from my blog - SEO Training.
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