You Did It!

Business resolution number one complete – SEO your website by the first of year.
Keywords in your URL 
Keyword rich title and metatags
Content rich pages
SEO friendly design
Google XML site map
Submission to approved directories and updating existing incoming links

What do I do Next???

Universally search engines are not very fond of idle websites so do not become idle yourself.  Here are a few recommendations to take your optimization efforts to the next level for the remainder of 2009.

1. Become part of the social environment. It is the future of search. Create a Facebook page and LinkedIn profile. Sign up for a few social bookmarking sites including ones that apply directly your industry.

2. Optimize your press releases. One a month for medium size businesses, quarterly for a small business.

3. Create a blog or community platform. Become a subject matter expert (SME) and submit your information to SME sites.

4. Add more relevant, content rich pages to your site. Make sure they are relevant and offer value. Often an existing page on your site has enough information that would allow it to become two or three. Take the time to fully optimize these pages and create a solid internal link structure –the rewards could be plentiful.

5. Consider paid search. Many stats point to the fact that ranking well for both natural search and paid can increase click-thru rates and potential conversions for both.

6. Focus on conversions. Develop new ways to gather leads from your website. One contact us form or a simple email is NOT enough. Create a sign-up for a demo, white paper, case study or solutions guide. Create a research library that requires an email sign in. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity.

7. Make brand an important part of your efforts. Branding is becoming essential to your search efforts. Don’t abandon it in efforts to just rank well.

8. Stay educated. Reading this blog is a great first step but keep going. Read something about SEO daily, sign up for a training class, attend a conference or hire a consultant or agency to further guide your efforts.

So there you go.  You have your marching orders for 2009.  The rest is up to you!