Search Engine Optimization Checklist

Search engine optimization is not an easy task. In fact, it can be quite daunting whether it's your first or twenty-first time doing it. Sure, we've got tons of information on our site about effective search engine optimization and how to achieve top ranking, but how do you know if you've missed something? We devised this simple checklist to help you figure out what you may be missing in the search engine optimization process:

Title Tag: Does your title tag include your selected keywords or keyword phrases?

Meta Tags: Does your meta tag describe and categorize the contents of your Web page? If you need help, use our free Meta Tag Generator to create your own meta tags.

ALT Tags: Have you added ALT tags to your images to make sure search engine spiders recognize all the content on your site?

Content: Have you included keyword-rich content throughout your site to maximize your search engine ranking potential?

Keyword density: Do you have a high keyword density ratio within your content?

Site Maps: Have you created an informative and easy to navigate sitemap to assist visitors -- and search engine spiders -- in finding every page on your Web site?

Link Popularity: Have you implemented an effective link popularity campaign to enhance your search engine ranking potential?

Usability: Is your site quick to load, clean, appealing, and easy to navigate?

Spam: Have you avoided unscrupulous spamming tactics such as hidden text, blatant keyword repetition, doorway pages, mirror pages, cloaking, and link farms? If you are unfamiliar with this terminology, use our Search Engine Optimization Glossary.

Remember, the one constant in the world of search engine optimization is change. If you decide to try search engine optimization on your own, this list can be a good reality check. But, if you want to maintain your high rankings, you've got to be mindful of the search engines' changing algorithms. Over time, your rankings will fluctuate and you may need to tweak your site to accommodate for these changes.

Article Home | Search Engines 101 - Search Engines Explained | What is Search Engine Optimization | Search Engine Optimization Checklist | Keyword Density | Building a Successful Link Popularity Strategy - Part1 | Building a Successful Link Popularity Strategy - Part2 | Building a Successful Link Popularity Strategy - Part3 | 10 Reasons For Exchanging Links | The Do's and Don'ts of Search Engine Optimization | What is the Difference Between Free Submission and Optimization | How Web Design Can Affect Search Engine Rankings | Effective Search Engine Optimization | Ethical Search Engine Optimization