Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » keyword optimization http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How Anchor Text is Used in Search Engine Optimizationhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/09/how-anchor-text-is-used-in-search-engine-optimization/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/09/how-anchor-text-is-used-in-search-engine-optimization/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:00:58 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1212 Search engine optimization is perhaps one of the most complex ever-changing fields in internet technology, and is primarily responsible for the growth of the most successful web sites online. Although it may not be fun having to learn the extensive knowledge required to become a good SEO expert, the fact remains that good SEO is the best way to receive residual web traffic with as little effort as possible. Unfortunately, a lot of people are in the dark about even the simplest search engine optimization techniques. One of the most overlooked aspects of SEO in regards to keyword optimization and backlink building is the use of anchor text. The following information describes how anchor text is used in search engine optimization, and how it is vital towards any SEO campaign.

What is Anchor Text?

Anchor text is simply the text used to represent a hyperlink. Anchor text is used to make links more attractive and to make it easier for the search engine to index backlinks in relation to specific keywords. A hyperlink that contains an entire lengthy web address would be much less likely to be clicked then a simple word that pertains to a subject that the reader is interested in. Anchor text is created by the page author and is a basic aspect of web design. Studies have shown that readers are far more likely to click on a link that contains anchor text because the link is more aesthetically pleasing and appears to be less ‘spammy’. By using anchor text you’re not only making it convenient for your site visitors to find the information they need, you’re also making it easier for the search engines to index the pages that you’re linking to.

Effective Backlink Indexing

When a search engine spider, crawler or bot (whichever you prefer) indexes a web page it combs through all of the outgoing links on that page. Depending on the structure of the link, the search engine bot will then index the pages that the links lead to. Before following a link to a specific page the search engine bot will read the anchor text to see if it pertains to the content on the target web page. For example, a link that reads “ boat anchors” would indicate to the search engine that the following page is going to pertain to boat anchors. If the page does not pertain to the anchor text then it is likely that the page will receive a lower search engine ranking. The proper use of anchor text ensures that search engines are indexing your pages and ranking them highly for your targeted keywords.

Anchor Text Tips

Because of the aforementioned reasons it is best to use anchor text to lead visitors to pages that are relevant to the chosen text. Every link that points back to your site is backlink, and if it contains relevant anchor text then it is much more likely to have a positive effect on your search engine ranking. If you want a specific page to rank highly for a particular keyword then you need to build as many backlinks as you can that contain anchor text with the chosen keywords included.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/11/09/how-anchor-text-is-used-in-search-engine-optimization/feed/ 0 Judging the Value of Domain Nameshttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/05/judging-the-value-of-domain-names/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/05/judging-the-value-of-domain-names/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:32:08 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=978 The name of a domain directly affects the overall success of a website, not only through search engine optimization, but also through the eyes of the visitors themselves. A memorable domain name will ensure repeat traffic in many cases, based simply on the fact that most visitors will find it easy to return to a site with a domain name that is easy to remember. Nonetheless, there are many other factors to consider when judging the overall worth of a domain name.

It is important to distinguish the difference between the worth of a domain name, and the value of an entire web site. A domain name is simply a web address that represents site, even so, this title has value in and of itself. Judging the value of domain names can be quite confusing. To simplify the process, consider some of the following factors.

Keyword Optimization

Perhaps the most important aspect of a domain name is the keyword that it is targeting. The most valuable kind of domain name is one that is an exact match of a keyword that is commonly searched for. Also known as an exact match domain, these names are sought after because they tend to go straight to the top of the search engines for specific phrases, with little or no effort. For example, if someone searches for the term “credit cards,” it would not be surprising to see creditcards.com in the number one spot, even if the content and on-page design has not been search engine optimized. Registering a domain name with one of these phrases is becoming increasingly rare, however it is possible.

Domain Syntax

Another important factor to consider is the syntax; the arrangement of words or letters within the domain name. A domain name with numbers that substitute words are generally less valuable. For example, the domain name keywords4ranking.com would be less valuable than the domain name keywordsforranking.com. The reason for this is simple, when someone executes a search for a particular keyword, the chances of them typing in the number 2 or 4 instead of the words “to” or “for” are very low. Following the same reasoning, dashes also take away from the value of a domain name, as most people do not include dashes in their search queries.

Name Length

The length of the domain name is also very important, as it directly affects the memorability of the name. If a domain name is 30 characters and 4 words long there is a very slim chance that someone will remember it. Thus, it is very unlikely that you will receive repeat organic traffic unless you are highly ranked for a common keyword.

Domain Extension

The domain name extension or TLD is another crucial factor. The extension of a domain is simply the letters that follow the dot, for example – .com, .net, and .org – are all domain extensions. Dot com domains seem to outperform their counterparts in almost all instances, however .org and .net domains also rank well in the search engines. Surprisingly, even though they only cost about a dollar, .info domains can often rank #1 in Google if the right keyword is targeted.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/05/judging-the-value-of-domain-names/feed/ 0 Search Engine Optimization – The Basics Explainedhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/18/search-engine-optimization-%e2%80%93-the-basics-explained/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/18/search-engine-optimization-%e2%80%93-the-basics-explained/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:57:13 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=710 As the internet grows exponentially each day, it becomes harder to gain recognition as a small business owner. Having to compete with large corporations that possess seemingly infinite advertising funds is a difficult task to say the least. In fact, it would be literally impossible without a thorough knowledge in search engine optimization. Search engines are responsible for more than 80 percent of the traffic distributed on the internet. If your site does not rank highly in the search engines, then there is simply no way you can become a formidable presence in your niche. There are many secrets to be learned before you can master the art of search engine optimization, however learning the basics will give you the head start needed to compete with experts in the field.

Quality Content

When web surfers search for a phrase in a search engine, they are looking for an answer. The website that best solves this question, according to the search engine, will appear at the top of the search results. A search engine judges the usefulness of a website based on numerous factors. One of the ways search engines judge your site’s usefulness is the amount of time each visitor spends on each page. If your visitors only spend 30 seconds at your site before leaving, then the search engines will view your website’s content as relatively useless. Another way search engine’s judge the usefulness of your site is by calculating the number of links containing your website’s URL that exist on the internet. These links are called backlinks. The more backlinks in existence, the more useful your site appears to be. In order to boost your site’s search engine ranking, you’ll need to provide engaging content updated on a regular basis.

Keyword Optimization

Simply having useful content is not enough. You want your content to be based on keywords that will attract attention for your niche. Try to remember that you are targeting search engine queries, so you’ll want to include key phrases within the content of your website. Before you begin writing or buying content for your site, you’ll want to do some keyword research. Find out what the most popular current search phrases are in your niche. You’ll also want to choose a keyword that is not over-saturated with competition. You can find out all of this information by using keyword research tools provided by Google. You can even find out what the hottest keywords of the day are by using Google Hot Trends. Once you have decided upon your keyword, it is important to use the proper keyword density. Search engines frown upon spam content that is littered with over-used keywords. You want your content to have a keyword density of about 1-3%.  Make sure you place the keyword in the beginning, middle and end of each article on your website. It is also important to include keywords in the design of your website, within title tags, meta tags, and even anchor text.

Getting Indexed

Once you have created your website and filled it with useful content, you’ll need to get the attention of the search engine crawlers. To do this you can submit your sitemap to Google and a few other popular search engines. You can also submit your site to a few popular online directories and social bookmarking sites. As your popularity increases the search engine crawlers will begin to notice your site, and eventually your site will be fully indexed. It is best to have a site that is heavy in basic text, as search engine crawlers index this kind of information more efficiently.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/01/18/search-engine-optimization-%e2%80%93-the-basics-explained/feed/ 1 SEO and Your Website Designhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/20/seo-and-your-website-design/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/04/20/seo-and-your-website-design/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:49:22 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=295 There are many elements that go into SEO.  Keyword implementation comes to mind along with quality inbound links.  One of the most essential components of all is your actual website.  When preparing to embark on an SEO mission, the first thing you need to ensure is that your site has a user-friendly feel.  This basically means that your pages are navigable, links visible and set up correctly.  It also helps if your site is built with complete, intriguing, quality content.  If the navigation of your site is sloppy with misspelled words and improper grammar, your SEO efforts will likely be less than effective.

When designing your site with SEO in mind, it is important to provide usability for your visitors and accessibility for the search engines.  A proper design will ensure that visitors can get around with ease and do not run into pages that take too long to load.  You should also know that Flash and errors in HTML code could possibly prevent from search engine robots from properly crawling and indexing your site.  A good site structure is one that caters to both your visitors and the search engines.  As a website owner, achieving a site optimized for the search engines could be a challenge, especially if you lack design skills.  When this is the case, you may need to rely on third-party professionals.

Expertise is Key

Because these elements are so important, several companies have emerged to offer their services.  Some even employ both SEO experts and web designers, allowing you to kill two birds with one stones by having someone make sure your site is optimized, and another to ensure that its easy to navigate and use.  The key is to do your research and take a little time evaluating different firms.   The best company is one that responds to your inquiries in a timely manner with satisfactory answers.  Rather than making claims about how fast or where they can ensure your rankings, they are honest and confident that their expertise will deliver results.  In short, you want a reputable firm that has proven the ability to create designs that meet W3C compliance and posses an understanding of the latest web trends as they relate to SEO.

No Guarantees

Even when turning to a professional web designer, one should never automatically assume that shelling out cash will guarantee you a top spot on Google.  The internet has opened up numerous opportunities and because of this, the web is a very competitive arena. Chances are, there are thousands of entrepreneurs who share your ambition for succeeding online.  They could even be targeting the same market as yourself.  You can spend a pretty penny on web design but without optimized content and a good marketing strategy, your beautiful website will get buried in Cyberspace.

Expectations will constantly be higher as the web continues to evolve.  Your visitors expect more feature-rich content while search engines increasingly prefer fast loading sites.  For this reason, the proper coding and effective optimization of your site are crucial.  If you don’t get it right the first time, you could find yourself paying even more to get the right design.

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