Website Optimization – What Is It And Can I Do It Myself?

Website optimization is a task that every unsuccessful website fails to undertake! Even if you perform it, there is no guarantee of success, but you stand a far greater chance of being found when searchers are looking for just what it is you do. Website optimization is not rocket science, and it can be learned and implemented by webmasters of average skills, and what you feel uncomfortable with you can easily and cheaply outsource to someone who can do it quickly and easily. Let’s look at some of the elements of skillful website optimization.

First, there are two basic forms of website optimization, On Page and Off Page. Some of the elements in On Page optimization are:

• Page title – Probably the single-most important item in whether or not your page is optimized well. This title should always include the primary keyword you want to be found for.
• Keywords – You need to know and employ exactly the keywords you are striving to be ranked for. This is best done before you launch the site, and needs to be done well. It is the key to success or failure.
• Meta description – Often used by search engines and directories to describe your page.
• Amount and quality of text – How much text and proper use of header tags.
• Internal link structure – How well you link up with the rest of your site, and does your navigation make it easy to get around
• Tags – If you’re a blog, do you make good use of relevant tags
• Web 2.0 – Do you make good use of Web 2.0 sharing options

Some of the Off Page items are:

• External links to your site – As many one-way, keyword rich links to your site as possible.
• Directory submissions – Not as useful as in days gone by, but still worth the effort.
• Social bookmarking – Can be a terrific way to get your site noticed, and possibly unleash an avalanche of traffic.
• Articles, Videos, Podcasts – Great ways to boost traffic and get authoritative links to your site.
• RSS Feeds – Another great way to share your content.
• Press Releases – If they are applicable to your market or service, then this is another wonderful way to get the word out.

Website optimization is best done when you are starting out a site, or if need be during a redesign. These tasks can be done by yourself or your staff, or you can quite easily outsource the work to a third party, either in North America or abroad. Currently, many are using outsourcers from the Philippines, as they have a good command of the language and are far cheaper than anyone stateside.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or have someone else do it, know that website optimization is one of the easiest, cheapest and quickest ways to boost your sites effectiveness. Make sure to make this a priority for your web business today!