Onpage Optimization: Essential for Effective Offpage Optimization

Onpage optimization is the process by which various elements on an individual web page are structured so that the web page can be found by the search engines for specific keyword(s) or keyword phrases.

Onpage optimization will not guarantee any top rating within a search engine, only offpage optimization can offer that guarantee. However, offpage optimization is far more effective WHEN onpage optimization is in place.

Onpage optimization is not difficult. It does however take time to make sure all the pieces are in place. Onpage optimization should occur not only on the main web page of a web site, but on every single content page within that site.

The very first question to ask when seeking to optimize a web page is: What keyword(s)/keyword phrases is this page targeting? This article will not explore how to find keywords, it assumes you already have keywords chosen.

For this article, the following phrases will be used as an example: designer argyle socks, plaid socks, paisley socks. Of the three phrases, "designer argyle socks" will be the primary phrase used for optimization.

Below is a list of onpage elements in which the keywords need to be placed:

** Keywords in the TITLE tag(s)

Every page should have TITLE tags. TITLE tags appear on the status bar above the menu bar in a web browser. The TITLE tags for the main page of your web site should look like the following:

TITLE Supersocks.com - Designer Argyle Socks | Plaid Socks | Paisley Socks /TITLE

Generally the formula should be: website name - keyword|keyword|keyword. Avoid using articles and conjunctions like a, the, and. Use the pipe(|) or dash (-) to separate keywords.

Do not "stuff" your title by repeating your keyword phrases over and over. Search engines will ban sites for such practices.

** Keywords in H1 or other headline tags

Somewhere near the top of the page place your primary keyword phrase within h1 tags.

H1Designer Argyle Socks/H1

The combination of the TITLE tag and H1 tag effectively act as titling tags for your page. The search engine spider will begin to see pretty quickly what your page is about if these two tags are in place.

** Keywords in the body copy

Use your keyword phrases throughout the copy of the body of the web page. Use them in natural ways. Do not overuse your keyword phrase. Avoid using hidden text. Try your best to include your primary keyword phrase at/near the beginning of your copy and at/near the end of your copy. Once, and only once, make sure your primary keyword phrase is bolded.

** Keywords in ALT tags

Many suggest that the alt tags on your images should contain your keywords. Be careful. Some search engines see that as spamming. If you do it, don't over do it.

** Keywords contained in the URL or site address, e.g., http://www.keyword.com/keyword.htm

If the primary phrase of our web page is "Designer Argyle Socks", then the name of the actual HTML file would be designerargylesocks.html, designer_argyle_socks.html or designer-argyle-socks.html

** Keywords in the META NAME="DESCRIPTION"

Meta tags are getting used less and less by the search engines. However, it is still good practice to use the Description and Keyword meta tags if only for your own reference.

meta name="description"Supersocks.com is pleased to offer designer argyle socks at low discount prices. In addition see our selection of plaid socks and paisley socks. /meta

** Keywords in the META NAME="KEYWORD"

Search engines like Google no longer look at the Keywords meta tag. However, still include your keywords here. They can serve as a point of reference for you in the future.

meta name="keyword" keyword, keyword, keyword /meta

Do not "stuff" this meta tag by repeating your keyword phrases over and over. Search engines will ban sites for such practices.

Paul Stefanski develops Recommended Web Tools, an online resource for web design beginners. Visit his website to find out more about onpage optimization.

---

Things You Must Realize When Searching

For the uninitiated, searching for web pages can seem a... Read More

?Web Content Management System fr Window?: Search Engine Typos

Oops! I meant "web content management system for windows." Do... Read More

How To Use Google As A Niche Website Builder

The popularity of weblogs or blogs has gotten a lot... Read More

Google Sitemaps: 7 Benefits You Cant Ignore

Google Sitemaps enables Webmasters to Directly Alert Google to Changes... Read More

How to Increase Alexa Ranking of Your Website

Alexa toolbar also useful to Browse expired websites database. Many... Read More

Got Spiders?

Many internet marketers blow mountains of start-up cash on their... Read More

10 Steps To Higher Search Engine Positioning

There is perhaps no more level playing field in business... Read More

Beating the New Google AdWord Rules with Blogs and RSS

When Google Adwords first came on scene, it was not... Read More

SEO Tips - Google Has Changed - Learn Why And What To Do

Google now checks the year your domain name was first... Read More

How to Improve Your Search Engine Rankings

When people think of search engine optimization, they immediately think... Read More

An Ethical Alternative to Doorway Pages

Definition: A doorway page is content created specifically for the... Read More

Finding The True PR Of A Page?

I had an email "conversation" this last week which I... Read More

Free Search Engine Advertising: 10 Secret Ways To Indirectly Race To The Top Of Search Engines

Do you have a website that has little or no... Read More

SEO Tips for Google

Getting a high ranking on Google is a big achievement.... Read More

Give the Folks at Google What They Want

Recent developments on the Google front have web marketers and... Read More

Is Google Having a Tough Time with Their Website Limit?

If you are one to pay attention to what happens... Read More

Google Page Rank - Important Or Just Another Number?

In my last newsletter I wrote about how your websites... Read More

Google ? A Bit of History

The first question most people have is, "What the heck... Read More

How to Succeed with the Search Engines

The Cold Hard Facts?..One of the most important factors in... Read More

How To Avoid These Ten Costly Search Engine Mistakes

If you have a website then you already know the... Read More

Search Engine Traffic Domination - How to Turn the Search Engines into Your 24/7 Salesmen

Getting your website returned by the search engines as a... Read More

How To Get Number 1 Spot In Google, Every Time, Guaranteed

Woaah! Wait a minute. Before I exclusively reveal these insider... Read More

Stuck on Keywords

Keywords have turned into big business on the internet. If... Read More

PageRank and How It Gets Assigned

We know that each and every website page is assigned... Read More

Search Engine Marketing 101 For Corporate Sites

When most people want to find something on the web,... Read More

How I Suddenly Stumbled Onto No.1 In Google and Yahoo Without Search Engine Optimization - So What?

Sometimes, the search engines act really strange. And this story... Read More

How to Avoid the Google Duplicate Content Filter?

More and more webmasters are building websites with publicly available... Read More

SEO Basics - 8 Key Strategies For Online Business Success

The world of search engine optimization (SEO) can be a... Read More

8 ways to build a really bad web site for Search Engines

Some web sites receive hundreds or thousands of unique visitors... Read More

Why Does The Link Page Have A PR Zero?

For beginners, link exchange campaigns can be a minefield of... Read More

Search Engine Optimization - Enhancing Web Site Visibility

I've had several prospects and clients say to me "I... Read More

Do You Have a Bad SEO Company, or Are You Just a Bad Client?

I admit it, our SEO services are pretty bad.Speaking of... Read More

The Business Case for SEO

It's interesting how potential clients have preconceived notions about which... Read More