What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process of varying methods with the objective of improving the ranking of a website in search engines listings.
Using search engines, visitors can find sites in a variety of ways:
- Via paid-for advertisements in the search engine results pages (SERPs)
- Via third parties who are listed in the search engines
- Via "organic" listings or "natural" listing, i.e. the results the search engines present users.
SEO primarily increase the visibility of a site in the organic (natural) search result.
| Organic (Natural) Results display on MSN |
 |
|
"High rankings in the organic (natural)search results can provide targeted traffic for a site."
Obtaining that traffic by other means while possible however it can be extremely costly. |
| |
|
| Organic (Natural) Results display on Yahoo |
 |
|
Competitive keyword terms for the PPC (Pay Per Click) cost several dollars or more. For even moderately competitive terms the cost can range from a few cents to several tens of dollars per visitor.
Given the high costs on the long run, it is advisable to optimize web sites for organic (natural) results. |
| |
|
| Organic (Natural) Results on Google |
 |
|
"Not all web sites have similar objectives when optimizing for search engines."
Some sites are seeking any and all traffic and is optimized for a common search phrase. This often result in a negative marketing strategy for a business because it can produce high volume of irrelevant inquiries that result in cost to handle, however result in little business. |
The general wide approach to search optimization can possibly work well for a site that has broad interest such as a news content providers or directories.
It is advisable for products or services oriented corporate web sites to rank well for keywords that are more specific to their products. This is usually where keyword research is done in SEO.
|
