On November 12, Google released it’s first ever Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide.
I have to say, I went into the document as a skeptic. After all, why would you ask the other team how to beat them? However, I was really impressed by the document.
The SEO Starter Guide runs through the basics of SEO, with some quality information that anyone who maintains a website should know. Although, most of these items will not come as a surprise to any readers of this blog or any other quality search engine optimization blog. However, it’s always a good idea to be refreshed on the basics.
Below are some of my favorite highlights from the SEO Guide. I am not going to get into the details of each of these, you can find those on the article or on previous post of mine.
Create Unique, accurate page titles. Good practices for page title tags:
- Accurately describe the page’s content
- Create unique title tags for each page
- Use brief, but descriptive titles
Good practices for site navigation
- Create a naturally flowing hierarchy
- Use mostly text for navigation
- Use “breadcrumb” navigation
- Put an HTML sitemap page on your site, and use an XML Sitemap file
Good practices for content
- Write easy-to-read text
- Stay organized around the topic
- Create content primarily for your users, not search engines
- Create fresh, unique content
Good practices for promoting your website
- Blog about new content or services
- Know about social media sites
- Add your business to Google’s Local Business Center
- Reach out to those in your site’s related community
Other Great Tips
Find the complete Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide here
Tags: Google, Search Engine Optimization, SEO« « PPC Spend should be more than SEO | SES Chicago: Getting Vertical Search Right » »
