1. Domain Names:
Old vs. New Domain Names: If you own a Domain Name and have done so for a while, use it. Try not to purchase a new one unless it’s absolutely necessary. Search Engines will rate older names higher. New Domain Names will take from a few weeks to a few months to achieve “normal” levels of traffic.
Multiple Domains: How diverse is your web site? Could you have more than one Domain Name pointing to individual areas? Normally Search Engines will only list one page for one name, Directories will normally only accept Home Pages, so you see, the more Domain Names you have the more you increase your hit potential.
Location: If you operate a business in Ireland and your target market is Ireland, use a .ie Domain Name. If the UK is where you are based, go for a .co.uk Domain Name.
Hosting: Make sure that the Domain Name and the web site is hosted in same geographic area that you conduct your business.
Domain Keywords: Include primary keywords in your Domain Name. Example: a site that sells printed T-Shirts should have a Domain Name like www.printed-tshirts.ie

2. Target Audience:
Target Market Optimisation: Optimize your site for your target audience, not for the search engines. Search Engines look for the best fitting keywords or phrase that is entered. Remember, if I search for a keyword that relates to your business, I am your target market. Optimise to meet my needs. Know your target market. Check forums, communities, check out other sites; go where your target audience might go, learn from them.

3. Content / Copy:
Compelling Writing: A vital element in a successful website is how visible your content is to the Search Engines. They need to be able to read your copy, locate the keywords and then they will be able to classify your site correctly. Make it easy for that to happen! Copy should not be hidden in graphics or behind Flash. Copy should be based on keyword phrases, your product or your subject. Your copy should be unique. Do not get tied up in word count or concern over keyword repetition. Write for real, write for the target market and the copy will be noticed by the Search Engines. Avoid keyword stuffing, it looks silly and may land you in “blacklist” territory! When the copy writing is done, leave it alone; come back to it with fresh eyes. See if there is a good balance between copy, keyword phrases and a nice flowing style of writing. Learn as you go and make edits accordingly. Keep your writing focused and do not allow yourself to stray. If you can offer unique, interesting, useful, quality and informative content you will find people linking to you.

4. Sharing:
Digg, Facebook, Bebo, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Delicious: Share everything! It’s a new concept to many, however, it works. The more people that share content the greater the benefit and the greater the impact that your content will have on your rankings. You do the sums. If this article is shared to 10 people that’s 10 more people reading this article. Now, let’s say those 10 people have 10 friends each on their social networking site... Well, it adds up! So, go share!

NEXT WEEK : Part 2 of SEO / Search Engine Optimisation Top Tips

Guy Fagan
06/02/09
Director – Lucidity Technologies
www.lucidity.ie