FAQ for SEO
FAQ for SEO - Some Frequently Asked Questions about Search Engine Optimization
When it comes to web design, search engine optimization and web traffic generation, there are quite a few terms that many people new to the field do not understand. Below is a brief explanation of some of these FAQ for SEO:
What is SEO?
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving and increasing website visibility in the search engine results online. It is the process that uses free and natural methods to ensure that a website is listed favourably on the first pages of the search engines for particular terms that people search for, called keywords.
What does SEO involve?
Basically, SEO involves a number of things, all geared towards meeting the search engine algorithms for better rankings. These activities can be categorized in to two; On-Page SEO (also on-site SEO) and Off-Page SEO (also off-site SEO).
On-page SEO involves any of those things that you do on your website that have a potential impact on your search engine rankings. These include activities like altering meta tags, title tags, editing the HTML, adding hyperlinks on the site, as well as adding Alt tags for your images.
Off-page SEO, on the other hand, involves activities you do in other sites outside yours, which have a direct effect on the search engine rankings for your site. These activities do not directly make any changes on your site. Some of these activities include directory submissions, link building, social media and video optimization.
What are the benefits of SEO?
The main benefit of search engine optimization is increased visibility on the internet. This results in increased traffic for your website, meaning more conversions and more profits. Some activities involved during the search engine optimization process also results in a faster loading website, better user experience and therefore more profitable activity (visits, purchases and so on).
What information does an SEO service provider require in order to work with your website?
Most service providers for SEO will require an initial fee for the service rendering. On top of this, they may also require you to enter in to a contract with them since SEO is a process that takes time. Many will offer different contract periods, for instance, 3 months, 6 months, a year, and so on. You will also need to give out your website URL, your web server FTP login details, as well as your personal contact details. Some will ask you to provide the specific web pages you want to optimize. It is also important that you know your target market, competitors and business goals to help the SEO company target the most profitable audience for you.
What is Search Engine Marketing (SEM)?
SEM is simply the application of the various marketing techniques for your website to drive traffic to it. It mainly includes buying banner and PPC ads through the various search engine networks. A good network is Google AdWords via the Google search engine.
What is the difference between SEO and SEM?
With search engine optimization, you mainly use free techniques to help your website rank in the search engines in order to get free, organic traffic to your site. With search engine marketing, you pay to be listed alongside the search results so that you can harvest part of the Traffic that searches for your specific terms, without necessarily ranking well. Search engine optimization is a more long term strategy, with search engine marketing coming in to provide a temporary Traffic solution before you rank well on the search engines.
What is the difference between Static & Dynamic website design?
A static web page is one which allows only one way interaction with the visitor. In other words, it can only allow a user to read or copy the page. On the other hand, a dynamic web page is one that allows two way interactions between the web page and the user. A good example is a page that has text you can read or pictures you can view, as well as having regular updates and a form where you can enter a comment or feedback.
What is a Meta Description and what is its purpose in terms of SEO?
A meta description is the general overview of the content and subject matter of the web page. Though not visible to your website visitor, it gives the search engines and directories a reference to what your web page is about. In the recent years, this description has become slightly less important in the SEO process. However, it still plays a significant role and should not be ignored.
What is the meta keyword tag?
A meta keyword tag is a HTML code that helps to identify the various keywords used in your webpage. It is mainly used for the purposes of the search engine robots and not the human visitors. Using this tag, the search engines robots are able to provide a relevant search result on the search engines.
What is a Meta Title, and what is its role in SEO?
The meta title is the HTML code that shows the title of a given webpage. On your browser, you can see it at the top left corner when you visit a page. It plays an important role on your web page, sending out the perception of what your page is about. It is also used by other webmasters as they try to link to your website, as well as being used by web directories and resources to identify what your website is all about. It therefore, plays a major role in the search engine optimization strategy.
What is Page Rank?
This is a numerical representation of the relevance, importance and validity of a website as seen in the eyes of Google. It is based on a number of factors, a primary one being the number of links pointing towards your website. More importance goes to links that come from other high page rank and authority sites. The page rank also influences the ranking of your website, with a higher rank meaning better positioning in the Google search engine results. The page rank is a complex algorithm which plays a major role in the website ranking and should therefore be planned for in the SEO strategy. It also plays a role of denoting authority for your website in your chosen niche.
Why is Search Engine Traffic so important?
Search engine Traffic is the Traffic that results, or is directed to you, by a search on the search engines. These search engines include Google, Yahoo and Bing, among others. A person who goes to any of these search engines and types a certain keyword, after which they are directed to your website, forms part of the search engine Traffic. This kind of Traffic is very good because it is free, and more reliable. A well optimized website receives a lot of this kind of Traffic, lowering your budget for marketing purposes.
These are some of the FAQ for SEO that may help you to get started. If you have any other questions in regards to starting an SEO campaign, get in contact with us at Black Ops SEO. We continually create and deliver successful strategies for our clients.