4little1s.com notes on SEO for DummiesSearch Engine Optimization for Dummies
Having just read Search Engine Optimization for Dummies by Peter Kent recently, I thought I would write up my notes having read it. This book is an excellent read and I strongly recommend you go out and buy a copy…. As you are probably aware, I have started an online Unique Baby gift business called 4little1s.com and it’s located at http://www.4little1s.com please feel free to visit us.
The book is excellent for small businesses wanting to improve their rankings in the search engine market. Being a small online baby gift company ourselves we do not have huge marketing budgets or entire departments of people who deal solely with marketing. While having some very dedicated people at 4little1s.com none of us are Search Engine Optimization experts! (SEO) so this book was the answer.
The book is split into the following sections:
4liitle1s.com notes and observations
1. 4little1s.com notes on ‘The Basics’
This section sets out the basics of the Search Engines and gives brief overview of the methods they use and tools that are helpful to you on your journey. It has to be said, while this book is a Dummies version; a certain level of understanding of HTML would not go a miss. The book doesn’t go into the detail in this area as this it is a vast area and the book suggests you get another book on basic HTML…not a bad idea. It the goes on to discuss PPC (Pay Per Click) Spiders, a couple of helpful toolbars from Alexa and Google.
2. 4little1s.com notes on ‘1 hour makeover’
This section advises you that it is unlikely that you will be able to do all these items and see results in one hour but it gives you a really good overview of items you really do need to check. Doing these items will make sure your site gets indexed and things that you need to be aware of and importantly how to get them fixed.
3. 4little1s.com notes on ‘Strategy planning’
Discusses the importance of thinking through what you are trying to achieve with your site. Stresses the importance of thinking through your keywords, the content, how to improve page rank and the importance of getting links. Also a new phrase I had not heard of called the SANDBOX where engines store you page for a while before going ‘live’
4. 4little1s.com notes on ‘Useful do’s and don’ts’
Advices on a number of points that are well worth being aware of if you want / don’t want to get listed…well worth a read !
5. 4little1s.com notes on ‘Keywords’
This section is a must read section and should be read twice it’s so crucial. Talks about tools you can use to help you decide what to go for, picking them and analyzing them.
6. 4little1s.com notes on the pages SE like
Gives you a run down of the considerations you need to think through to make sure your site gets seen. Right from the domain name, directory structure, all important title tags, Alt text for pictures, links and even the <H> tag (Headings to you and me)
7. 4little1s.com notes on the things SE hate
Basically avoid frames, clutter and dynamic pages in a nutshell
8. 4little1s.com notes on trying to trick the SE’s
Advices on the frowned upon practices of trying to trick the SE’s. A small debate on if this is wrong or not and discusses Redirects, Duplicating, Cloaking, hidden text and links and more importantly the penalties INCURRED!!
9. 4little1s.com notes on bulking up content
This section is pure and simple. Add content to your site ! either do it yourself or get someone else to write it for you, either way ADD CONTENT ! Look into RSS feeds, PR, Q and A sections and blogs
10. 4little1s.com notes on getting traffic
Partner up with other sites, look at IP numbers, consider local searches (Geo location – nice word!) use a tool called IP2LOCATION.COM to work out where traffic is coming from.,
11. 4little1s.com notes on getting pages into SE
Submit to the main SE, fee paying and free versions; submit a sitemap (Google / yahoo)
12. 4little1s.com notes on submitting to directories
Dmoz.org does not send out search bots, they don’t index pages line SE. You need to do it manually but make sure you submit to the right area. There are other directories and some specialists that are worth looking at.
13. 4little1s.com notes on Other Directories
See specialist directories, yellow pages and look at creating landscape log
14. 4little1s.com notes on links
SE like links so get them ! they boost your position. Page rank is an important issue so take note. Try to get your keywords in your links
15. 4little1s.com notes on more links
Get family, friends, and suppliers to link to you. Use PR to get your name know, investigate link building software, create a blog. WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT
16. 4little1s.com notes on shopping directories
A wide number of directories dealing with shopping are available. Google catalog, Froogle, Base, Yahoo shopping, shopping .com bizrate and shopzilla. Look at each one
17. 4little1s.com notes on PPC
2 types of ads, bid tools, value of a click should be watched as it can be expensive. Tier 1 and tier 2 types
18. 4little1s.com notes on stay updated
Basically keep yourself updated with developments on SE , newsgroups, MSN, Google etc.
19. 4little1s.com notes on Ten myths
As the section advises, a bunch of myths that people believe, certainly worth being be aware of. Ranges from the $25 to get you to 1st place on Google, to info on multiple submissions.
20. 4little1s.com notes on the ten tools
The items that we will be using to optimize www.4little1s.com are Alexa, Google toolbar, Zeitgeist and a broken links tool…very helpful section.
Overall I recommend this book as at 4little1s.com this has been a real help in optimizing our website and getting it placed higher in the constant battle of climbing the search engine rankings.
As mentioned before, we run an online baby gift company called 4little1s.com and you can check us out at http://www.4little1s.com
Final note: Get registered on dmoz.org
4little1.com
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