Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a vast subject. There are more than 200 issues which shape up Google ranking. To know how to optimize a website in the best way, you need to know the rules governing SEO and the factors which boost ranking. Here is a list of SEO factors which you need to address as a checklist before submitting your site for ranking.
Factors that Boost Ranking – Keyword
Keyword or keyword phrases make or break a ranking. This must be appropriately distributed in the title tags, domain name, or Meta tags. For instance, the domain name should reflect in the page name. Title tag should be between 10-60 characters while Meta tag should have 4-5 keywords.
Body Text
The body text should have each and every word in the Meta tag. For a 6-keyword density, the body text of the page should be 20 percent of the total number of words. The keyword should be more prominent in the first paragraph. Don’t forget to use the keywords in titles, sub-titles, etc.
Navigation
Navigational instructions, such as links, button text, etc should be interspersed with keywords. For instance, the linking word and the file name to which it is being linked should have relevant keywords.
Don’t forget to check the link validity. You may use some free tools available in the Internet to validate links in all pages. Two clicks to any page should be an ideal way for effective navigation. There should also be suitable links to the sub-pages.
Link Building
Although building links increase link popularity and subsequently, better ranking, care must be taken to link to useful and good sites only. Linking to dubious websites would bring penalty to your site. Don’t forget to limit yourself to only 100 outgoing links.
Miscellaneous Factors
File size or your page size should not exceed 100K. If you are exceeding the file size, ensure that the content or information is also proportionate big enough. When naming a file, use appropriate hyphens and space instead of an actual space to determine separate words. For keeping the right URL address, choose an appropriate keyword oriented domain name with about 200 characters.
Fresh Content
Time and again, it has been said that search engines like fresh content, new information, additional pages, etc. For instance, if you update information in your website, it is likely that the search engine spiders would be attracted to it and soon they would scan the site. It is also important to have fresh pages with new content and revised or rewritten existing content.
Lastly, there are many factors which one needs to avoid staying at the top of search engines. For instance, don’t go for over optimization, linking to link farms, text represented as graphics only, etc. If you keep these tips in mind, be sure to get top ranking in Google. Ensure to use these tips as last minute SEO checklist.