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SEO has essentially become the study of Google and how/why it orders search results in the order it chooses. But how do you go about studying Google when it consists of everything from the most basic concepts to complex algorithms?

I’ve found that there are several things which Google values and have started this series to elaborate on them.

Running the risk of sounding redundant is always possible when blogging about SEO and Google but I accept that risk. I wish I could have referenced these posts when I was first discovering the ins and outs of search engine optimization.

Webster defines the word organize in this way:

1. to cause to develop an organic structure

2. to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole

I want to focus on the words organic and coherent. Both words embody the heart and soul of SEO and SEO tactics because it is necessary for your site to be active and its content readable. When researching SEO, it helps to think of Google as a wealthy elitist who still chooses to work five days a week. The individual will do the work that is requested but the return on your request will be much higher if you simplify/organize your interaction.

And that is what SEO is about—simplifying your site so that Google can publicly respect your content.

But, how does this look when applied?

Here are some organizational tips to inspire Google to boost your rankings:

Use keywords that are important to you in your content (density) – if your site is about web design then you should constantly be referring to web design within your posts and content . . . specifically!

Employ header tags and put them in order – failing to use headers or having an H1 and multiple H2s that compete rather than putting them in sequential order, including subheadings, will inhibit Google’s bots from seeing your site as an organized and coherent online presence.

Links should go exactly where they claim to go – using a link to an article that says investments should lead the reader to content that uses the word investments on several occasions since this will testify to your efforts to produce and provide relevant material (remember our working elitist!).

Categories should contain content that is directly relevant to their heading – how many times have you been to a site where you click on a category of content and fail to find what you’re looking for in any of the material? You can’t go wrong by using the same wording within your content as the category you wish it to be under.

Don’t hesitate to tell Google not to index some of your content – if you feel that your site’s content is inadvertently redundant, there is much more to be gained than lost by leaving it up and merely telling Google’s bots not to index it. Read Removing My Own Content from Google.

Use your own descriptions as much as possible – ever searched for your own site and found a description that doesn’t say what you want about your content? Google makes the final choice on what to use but it helps to simplify the bots’ decision (make it relevant!).

These are just a few of the many simple tactics you can employ on your site to achieve your SEO goals. Many of these are suggestions are based from personal experience as well as Google SEO Basics for Beginners posted by Interspire, an excellent company for online businesses. Our next segment in this series will be about content, content, content.

If you’d like your church or ministry web site to rank higher in search engines, we can help. Just hit us for more information.

Learn more about Chris Boyd here.