It’s so simple, just three simple methods – it’s a wonder everyone doesn’t do it! Search Engine Optimization is one of the most effective methods of gaining higher SERPs (Search Engine Results Page) – yet so many developers neglect the basics and only a handful utilize it. The techniques used by web-masters and bloggers alike today range from simple “BOLD” texts to black-hat marketing.

Today, maintaining an online community and writing content for your readers is easier than ever. Content Management Systems such as WordPress & Blogger makes it just too easy for one with an idea to share it with millions of potential readers. I think, given the simplicity of such programs, that most talented developers and even new comers to the game – tend to overlook the basic foundation needed to reach those “millions of potential readers.”

Almost every blogger, web developer and online marketer would try to reach the highest possible SERP for their selected list of keywords. This is natural, simply because traffic gained from Search Engine Results are extremely targeted. Nevertheless, it’s easier said than done – with almost every competitive keyword you can think of – ranking several hundred million results! Still, don’t let that throw you off course, because just THREE simple steps will have you raking in those loyal readers and potential clients.

Quality In-Bound Links

First on the Trinity of SEO is ‘Quality In-Bound Links’. Links to your site from external websites are very important for search engine optimization. Not only do they help the search engine find your site in the first place, they can also improve the ranking your site achieves. If a large number of sites with related content link to you, the search engines will look upon you favorably.

The core algorithm behind the infamous Google PageRank relies on in-bound links and dominates the minds of many website buyers across the internet. Scouring a few web-development forums, you will see that the majority of the questions or issues raised float around Google and its PageRank. The system depicts how important your website is, by assigning it a PageRank and this value solely depends on how many authority websites link to you.

A lot of the hype recently about “Do-Follow Commenting” helps a lot, where you seek out blogs that allow do-follow on your URL tag and comment on them. It’s one of the more recently appreciated methods of link-building because it can get you targeted links from related contextual websites, and can also bring in a visitor or two. The biggest positive is that, it’s FREE! Commenting on relevant sites is obviously free unless they have a paid-membership of some sort. The trick to this technique is to find authority blogs in your niche that haven’t been exposed yet as “Do-Follow Blogs”. It requires hours and hours of persistent searching… or at times – just a bit of luck.

Web-Standards Compliance

If your website is coded to comply with the W3C web standards it is more likely to perform well in search engine results or SERPs. The reason for this is simply that they are less likely to “trip up” on some code they don’t understand.

Search engines, especially Google, take notice of the HTML code that makes up your page. They are always on the prowl for out-bound links and new content. The more code there is relative to the amount of actually content, the worse your site will perform in the eyes of the crawler. So, you need to make sure that you have the minimum amount of coding required to meet the W3C Standards and also your expectations as a blogger. The less hassle for the crawler, the more favorable you are as a higher contender on the SERPs. Always aim to please both your readers and your crawler. I would recommend running all your websites through the W3C Validtor, to pick up any errors in your coding.

Allowing the crawler to understand your coding and also letting your readers enjoy a legible article was near impossible with ‘keyword stuffing’ back in the day. However, these days’ crawlers are much smarter and are able to pick up most of the content as a normal reader would. I said most, and emphasize on this because “Google is the web’s blindest use.” Even though crawler intelligence has grown exponentially, they still aren’t capable of picking up images, different coloring and styles etc., so ensure the meaning of such elements is also available in text format.

Relevant Text Content

Last but definitely not the least aspect of the trio is “Relevant Text Content.” The absolute number one thing your website/blog needs for good search engine performance and ultimately loyal readers – is unique relevant content. If your site is not about what it claims to be about then no amount of other tips and techniques will help you. Regardless of design and how visually appealing it is – your website won’t rise to the top if it doesn’t deliver content. In simpler terms; writing unique content on a regular basis is the key to success.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying “Content is King” and I couldn’t agree more. The many popular bloggers today have offered their readers something unique and special that simply can’t be found anywhere else. This is what made them famous, so you think about it yourself – what do you have to offer?

Search Engine Crawlers like coming across your unique content on a regular basis and that is why Google prefers blogs. If you can produce content that is appealing to your readers, and keep producing such content on a frequently – you will conquer the search results within no time!

Related posts:

1. 9 Tools To Help Your SERPs Considerably

2. How to get your site indexed fast?

3. Ultimate SEO Tool List Update 12/23/08

Following up on a thread over at DigitalPoint, a member took the time to make this list of  both ON/OFF Page SEO tools you’ll ever need.

The tools vary from Optimizers to SERP Rank Checkers to the critical back link to verify those “Link Exchange Buddies” are still link to you..

I would recommend that you bookmark a few of them because most of them will provide with you excellent in-depth statistics which you can use to study your website/blog’s progress for the inevitable domination.

On Page Optimization Tools

Website Grader – A simple website analyzer with some helpful tips for your site

SearchEngineWatch – Article on creating an RSS feed for your site.

W3Optimizer – Nice on page optimization tool with key parameters checked on your site.

Off Page Information Tool

DiagnosticoWeb - Good all around site tool.

On page/Off page tools:

*New SEOCentro – Nice collection of basic SEO tools. Very basic but can help.

*New SEOAnalytic - Pretty good tool set including internal PR checker.

Keyword Traffic Tools

Google Adwords Keyword Tool – Type in the keywords you want traffic estimates for. Usually used for Adwords but nice to use for estimating niche markets for website development.

SEODigger – Gives a search estimate for specific keywords to your niche at different SERP standings. Nice.

*New Google Insights – Google’s on Beta search traffic tool by volume, region over time.

*New SEMRush – Nice tool for traffic and competitors. Added after checking it out per DPer on this thread!

Fake Pagerank Detector Tool

CheckPageRank - Nice PR checker and validator when exchanging/purchasing links.

*New Archive’s Way Back Machine – Try the Way Back Machine on this site when validating obtaining links. This gives you a good idea if the domain from which you want to get a link on was recently transferred/dropped and if its’ PR is about to go “poof”.

SERP Tools

*New SEOLogs SERP Checker – Check your SERP in different data centers via small Google like windows.

*New SERPRank - Check your SERP position on different search engines

*New IP Address & IP Address 2 – These are the Google Big Daddy Datacenters for the US. SERPs usually start here then migrate across the other datacenters.

Backlink Tools

*New BackLinkWatch – Added backlink checker recommended by several DPers.

*New Yahoo SiteExplorer – Yahoo’s back link tool which is very comprehensive.

*New Online-Utility Back Link Analyzer – Nicely organized backlink tool which is very compacted and gives you a quick look at how your back links are distributed. Try it you’ll like it!

Redirect Tools

*New InternetOfficer’s Redirect Check – The tool checks to see if your 301 redirect is working properly. This is important for new domain names and transferring websites.

Copyright Tool

CopyScape.com – Check to see who is copying your stuff and take action.

Avoiding Penalty Tips

KSL Consulting. Google Penalty – Good list of things to be careful about so you don’t get a Google penalty.

*New DiagnosticoWeb Google Chart - Very good flowchart on how to handle a penalty.

Related posts:

1. 9 Tools To Help Your SERPs Considerably

2. W3Optimizer V2 – Real SEO Tool

3. SocialMarker – One Tool For All Your Social Bookmarking Needs!