bounce rate

Search Engine Optimization Web Design

Getting to Know Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving visibility of a web site or page on search engines by using specifics phrases or techniques. Here’s how you can improve your SEO:

User Search

Search engines, Google, Yahoo or Bing, rank each web page based on content and which is most relevant to the users search. Getting to the first page or the top results takes planning or experience in the field.

Once to your site, users want to know are your pages a valuable source of information, are they entertaining or can it solve a problem.

user search

Keyword Heavy

The first big aspect of SEO is hitting all the keywords you want to be found by. These words should be spread out evenly throughout the site and pages (As I will state later, cramming in too many is often a downfall for SEO.). Correct placement is key. Take for instance this blog, I’ve said or will say SEO, bounce rate, cloaking and Google Analytics just to name a few (Yes, I know that was a crafting way of sneaking them in one more time.). It is how you do it which is key. Whatever your business is, gaining the attention of all customers is most important.

Doing Research

Researching what keywords people may use to find you is yet another step. Doing a thorough search, might take weeks and into months, can reduce unnecessary filler content. This is where Google Analytics and Rank Tracker come in. A systematic process of trial and error is needed to be sure what people are searching in your area, what are they looking for state or nation wide or what phrases or keywords is my competition succeeding in.

locationkeywords

The Good Bounce

Another factor to affect SEO is bounce rate, the number of different page views a single user has or how immersed your visitors are in your site.

If many users go to your home page or a single page and then leave, you will have high bounce rate. On the Other hand, if many users go page to page and explore, your bounce rate decreases. Furthermore, companies with only a single page will tend to have higher bounce rates. There is no set mark to hit high or low on bounce rate. General rule of thumb is anywhere between 40% to 70%. But can change depending on company needs.

Remember This

Cramming in too many content words in a small sentence or paragraph can have negative effects. It needs to flow as a normal sentence. Excessively stuffing too many content rich words can be seen by Google or other search engines as a violation and cost you in the long run.

Additionally, if the content is lacking keywords and feels ‘thin’ to the reader, this ultimately will affect pageviews.

Another bad process is Cloaking. This is providing two separate websites for users and search engines,using the search engine to gain all the page hits while getting all the positive attention on your website. This is a serious no-no as well and Google will find out!

This is just a skimming of the surface into the intricacies of SEO.

Interested in learning more? Email hello@hubandspokecreative.com or give us a call 573-298-6980.

© 2013 Web Design, Branding & Marketing Insights from Hub & Spoke.