Learn SEO - NOW

After years of trying to find the time to go commercial “the time has come”. Although I am not completely organized with my workflow I believe I am ready to start working on Search Engine Optimization.

[Search Engine Optimization (SEO) = The process of making a site and its content highly relevant for both search engines and searchers. SEO includes technical tasks to make it easier for search engines to find and index a site for the appropriate keywords, as well as marketing-focused tasks to make a site more appealing to users. searchenginewatch.com/define]

First comes the research. I have started my research as of today. The following is a summary of what I have learned in the past hour:

I have learned a little about DMOZ and  Google Directoy, and how your site would have a higher status in the web by being listed in these and other directories.

All of the info that I have read seems to suggest that if you have nothing “relevant” to what your blog is about it is probably best to not post anything. Your readers have come to your site for information and entertainment. A post that describes what you had for lunch would probably not be considered relevant to a photography blog, unless of course the blog was about “food photography”. Give your readers the content they came to your site to see.

Search engine editors will generally just visit the first page of your site. They will be checking for content and layout.

Keep affiliate links to a minimum. Editors may see them as too much clutter. (All of the above tips are courtesy of Webtalks.)

Place keywords in your blog or website URL. (Blogger Book)

All of these tips, and more, were taken from Dummies’ Guide to Blogger.

I believe that learning this SEO stuff, and keeping abreast of every possible technical aspect of photography and using the web is paramount to the success of HKB Photo (or any business). Because of this I will continue to “post” about this any subject related to “optimizing blogs/webs for increasing traffic.