I’m often asked, what’s the secret to getting search engine traffic? Well the basic formula is this:

Strategy

+ Relevant Content

+ Inbound Links

+ “On Page” SEO

_______________

= Search Engine Results

Don’t worry, we’re not going to get into the geek-speak, this category will be us (ok, you) non-nerds out there. In this first installment of DIY SEO, we’re going to take a brief look at what these three components mean, and following posts will deal with the intricacies involved with each.

Strategy

Fail to plan, plan to fail. Same here. You want to get to know your customer, potential client, or audience. Knowing what search terms are used most often while searching for a business like yours can ensure you’re not chasing your shadow. Next, you’re going to want set up what ever content management system you will be using, we’ll recommend a few that are free (or very cheap) and very easy to use if you can handle Microsoft Word or check your bank balance online. Lastly, you should set up a tracking utility to keep track of your traffic and your progress.

Relevant Content

First, if the search engines can’t read it – it’s like it was never there. Search engines, especially Google, love the written word. Lots of them. Get ready to write, but as an expert in your field you should have plenty to share right? Hey, I said “free” SEO – not “easy.” If you’re looking for the easy way, some dude from India just called me offering #1 top ranking in google for just $99 a month. I’ll be happy to give him your number.

Inbound Links

These are the web links that point towards your website. The more the better. We’ll cover how build an army of inbound links, maximize their impact, and also explain some common (and costly) pitfalls about getting inbound links from disreputable sources.

On Page SEO

It sounds scary I know. In the DIY SEO section, we’ll leave the esoteric alone and focus on the fundamentals. What a title tag is, and why it’s so important, as well as some easy modifications you can make to own site to improve it’s search engine performance.