Keep it simple! A lot of small business owners starting a website for the first time, can get overwhelmed very quickly when it comes time to increase search engine rank. For those of you who understand the basics on how to increase search engine rank, this article isn't for you! This is an absolute beginner's overview on ranking your website in Google, Bing and Yahoo and a few tips you can use to improve the online visibility of your small business website. So let's get started!

An Overview Of Search Engine Rank

Search parameters are constantly changing. Keyword results rise and fall over time to compensate for new websites, better content, and to replace outdated and dead websites. Search engine results are calculated from an array of variables fed into algorithms. Top engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo keep most variables a secret to prevent corruption. But there are a handful of key variables that have been acknowledged and tested by marketers. Variables such as keywords and phrases used in file naming, domain names, web page naming, META tags, backlinks pointing to your website, and keyword density in your website content, all play a role to increase search engine rank.

A Few Tips To Improve Your Search Rank:

Use Keywords And Phrases Throughout Your Website

Spend a few minutes and conduct some research of your own to determine what keywords and phrases people use to find websites like yours. Google AdWords is a great tool for researching the popularity of keywords. Once you've identified 10 or 20 keywords, sprinkle them throughout the content of your website. Use them in file and image naming and in headlines and links on your website. Keywords are an important way to increase search engine rank.

Review Your Website's Traffic Statistics

If you have statistics tracking software installed as part of your web hosting, carefully review the keywords and phrases visitors to your website are using to find you. Compare your findings with the research you conducted on popular keywords related to your business and industry. You've got a problem if the words and phrases people are using to find your website are not in line with the research you completed. Try to realign your website content with the new keywords.

Take A Close Look At Links To Your Website

You need to actively promote your small business website online by encouraging other websites to link to yours. Commonly referred to as link building, this is a powerful strategy to drive new visitors to your website and to improve your ranking. The anchor text that describes the backlink (links pointing back to your website) is important. For example, you'll want the text that is used to describe the link pointing to your website to include keywords from the research you conducted earlier.

Commit Yourself To Increase Search Engine Rank

Link building and keyword research should become a constant part of your online marketing. To increase search engine rank over the short and long-term, you should develop a comprehensive marketing plan. Work with your web design team or marketing firm to identify websites, directories, social media sites, forums and other online places you should link to your website. Then, work your plan! It may take some time, but you'll be happy with the results.

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