SEO is the combination of various methods aiming to improve website ranking. SEO affects the rankings by making sure that the webpage being optimized is attuned to the determinant criteria used by the search engines. The SEO process is based on analyses of both the search users' actions (such as anticipating the form and phrasing of the user's query) and the search engine's own rules (adapting to the calculations used by search engines to determine the relevance of a webpage).
A website thus optimized will land at the top of rankings (or at least on the first page of the results), having been selected by the search engine as the best, most relevant answer to the user's query. This in turn translates to more hits, more purchases, more customers, more profits - the end-all incentive to improve website ranking.
1. Defining the market, narrowing down the optimization campaign
Defining the market of a product or service is the first step in selecting the optimum SEO campaign. Some SEO techniques may be suited for one type of niche, but not for another. Orienting an SEO campaign based on the target market means the proper utilization of SEO methods, for example, determining whether to focus on social networks or via direct mailers, on improving the look, feel and functionality of the website or engage in massive article marketing campaigns.
2. Everything begins with the proper keyword
The search process starts with users entering a query to the search engines. It is therefore important to anticipate, as closely as possible, what a typical user would type in the search box. All ensuing efforts will have to revolve around associating this key word or key phrase to the target site. It must be noted that keywords can't be too general (many, many sites will compete with and drown out the target site), nor too specific (it could be too obscure to the searcher) that it doesn't improve website ranking at all.
3. Paying attention to the human factor
One open trade secret among SEO practitioners is that there is a tendency to pay attention only to the search engine's criteria, and not to the actual wants of its human users. Sites must be user-friendly: readable to humans, and written in correct and appropriate language. As a reward, all search engines implement ways to raise the ranking of sites that are friendly to its human visitors.
4. Updating the site regularly
Adding new content or even doing cosmetic changes (such as to improve visual appeal) to a website do not escape the eyes (or the bots) of the search engines. This site dynamism is another proven way to improve a website SEO.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daisy_Vi
