"If you build it, they will come"...

While this is a great line from one of my all time favorite movies, 'Field of Dreams,' it is also a principle that far too many web site owners live by.

Let's face it. In the world of online marketing, 'building it' means nothing. The new mantra must be 'If you PROMOTE it, they will come.'

So what's the best way to promote it?

Virtually all credible third party statistics would suggest search engine optimization.

Consider the following statistics, courtesy of www.GuaranteedTopRankings.com:

So what SEO (search engine optimization) techniques are working and producing results? While an entire book is probably needed to fully answer this question, here are a few useful components of search engine friendly sites:

Simply put, here's what search engines do. They have 'robots' that scour the Internet and gather up web pages, images and videos based on standard keywords, titles and descriptions. This knowledge is a powerful tool for webmasters, giving them some control over how their pages are ranked, which in turn determines how they appear in the search results.

We can't stress enough that content is king!
The single most important aspect of your web site is giving your visitors a good reason to stop by and a better reason to want to take home what your have to offer.

It is important how and where you've placed keywords and phrases - and which keywords you've chosen for your keyword tag. Think about what your prospects would type into a search box of an engine to find you. Those should be your keywords.

The description tag follows closely on the heels of keywords, as it helps engines determine if the site is relevant to the search.

Don't choose keywords or descriptions that don't really represent your site. If your site sells hand tools and you choose a hot current topic as a keyword you may get visitors looking for info and finding handtools... you'll have irritated people leaving your site and not the happy customers you need who'll stay and buy your tools.

The page title tag is next in line of importance. It influences where your web site will rank within an engine. Keep it down to a maximum of 60 characters (including spaces).

Search engines also use link popularity to determine your ranking. This means that it's important to have as many links to and from as many other sites as you possibly can. Talk with other reputable web sites - that relate in some way to yours - about linking to your site. The bonus to this is that each time someone visits this web site, they'll see the link to your web site, which can increase your traffic results. Understand that top sites are pretty choosey about which sites they link to. Make sure your site has the content and resources to make a good impression.

Needless to say, search engine submission is vital to your online campaign as well. Many of the big search engines travel through online sites to find new web pages. You don't have to submit your page to Google, Yahoo! or MSN. Your primary focus should be getting listed with the less well known search engines that are the most heavily trafficked. More than 97% of all search engine traffic comes from the few most popular engines and directories. Being listing with the little guys will actually help boost your rankings with the bigger guys.

Why focus specifically on the top 20 placements? Rarely will anyone look any further - and if your prospects don't find what they're looking for in those first 20 spots (and what they're looking for is you), they'll simply try again with a different search.

As the public becomes more educated about the importance of SEO, the competition for top-20 rankings becomes fiercer. If your web site is not search engine friendly, better step to it or you'll be left in the dust - leaving your competitors to snatch up what could have been your profits!

If you're thinking that getting elusive first page placements in search results on your own seems quite daunting (if not downright impossible), I don't blame you. Which is why a wise and logical investment for many businesses is to outsource this important task to a full service SEO firm who makes it their full time business to optimize sites and achieve top placements.

After all, shouldn't you let your SEO expert worry about these arcane (but very important) issues; and focus your own time where it's most valuable…growing your business and serving your customers?

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About the Author...
Aimee Cremasco founded Word Associates in 1999. She has been writing for various industries online, and has experienced many SEO companies. Aimee recommends GuaranteedTopRankings.com, to all her clients. Aimee is not compensated for this recommendation; it comes solely from complete satisfaction in working with GuaranteedTopRankings.com due to their level of professionalism and up to the minute SEO knowledge.

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