Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for beginners

What is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

Search engine optimisation is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines through natural search results. Typically, the earlier a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. While the final product may result in a website optimised for search engines the experience for the customer should not be neglected.

Why should I optimise my website for search engines?

Search Engines index the content of websites and place the data in a large repository. Internet users then query these search engines, to find the most relevant websites for specific keywords and phrases. By optimising a website for specific keywords and phrases will allow your site to move to the top positions of these search engine results pages(SERPS).

When should I start with Search Engine Optimisation?

From the very first second you even consider creating a website. Search Engines take into account even the name of your website (your domain name). Having some of the keywords you would like your customers to find your website with in your domain name, will boost your rankings in the search engines for those specific keywords.

Also consider creating descriptive directory and file structures inside you website. A filename like "1.htm" is not very descriptive, however a filename like "How_to_create_a_website.htm" will help search engines to know exactly what this page is all about. Why stop there, use the directory structure to further explain your content, e.g. "/instruction_manual/How_to_create_a_website.htm" will help your Optimisation efforts even further, which will help cover search phrases like "instruction manual create website", or even just "create website".

I have an old website, but I have not yet optimised it. Is it too late?

No, it is never too late. Start as soon as possible. But be careful. If you decide to optimize you content by creating new URLs, be careful not to duplicate content, or leave dead links on your site. Some of the pages on your site might have already been indexed by the search engines. By removing them from your site and moving them to new URLs, you will lose those indexed pages, and the search engines might even penalise the site for duplicate content. If you need to, redirect your search engines to the new page.