Known as SEO or Search Engine Optimization, getting your site listed effectively on search giants like Google, Yahoo or MSN is one of the most important and time-consuming tasks of having a website. Notice that we said 'task' because the process of getting your website listed in a discoverable location on one of these search sites takes constant maintenance. It can’t be set up all at once. Although this process is time-consuming, it is not impossible if you have the right information. Misinformation about the SEO process, however, can easily hurt the position of your website on search results.

Step 1: META keywords and Descriptions
Create different META keywords and descriptions for each page. Remember that they should be human readable and not just a list of words. These have to directly relate to the content of the individual page. Do not copy and paste the same keywords for each page.

Step 2: An XML Sitemap
Create a sitemap file of your website and place it in your site’s root folder. This file needs to follow a special format. To create this file and ensure the proper format, use the tool at xml-sitemaps.com.

Step 3: Footer
Use the footer portion of your site to ensure that all important pages of your website are directly linked. The footer is the plain text located at the bottom of the website. Five to ten links here should go to pages that contain the central purposes of your website.

Step 4: Use Free Tools
Google Webmasters is a free service that allows you to do a variety of fantastic things. Use this free tool to submit a sitemap, check on the bot-crawler stats and also use it to verify that your site is valid and accessible to web crawling bots.

Step 5: Create Articles, Blogs and Tweets
And now for the time-consuming part, depending on your level of commitment to your site. This step is all about creating new and helpful information in the form of articles, blogs and tweets. Place the articles on your website. Place the blog entries on a regular blogging site such as blogger.com. And tweet professional keyword-rich messages about your company and the services you offer. Remember that these articles need to be edited by someone capable. These articles are the advantage that your small business website needs for higher placement in search engine results.

A full-service web development company should be able to provide you with an adequate quote for these services month after month. It truly is a process, but the results are fantastic. Having your site listed on the first page or two of results gives your small business a serious advantage over millions of competing companies around the globe.

Edited by Chris Carera (chriscarera@gmail.com)
Written by JLA Development