What is SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimization. Why would you want to optimize a website for a search engine? The simple answer is visitor traffic! However, traffic can come in many forms; it can be targeted and un-targeted. If the traffic you receive is not targeted to that which you are offering or selling, what good does it do you, or the individual doing the search for that matter? This becomes the difference between relevant search and non relevant search and is what sound keyword research and conversion study is all about.

What is Keyword Research?

When you perform a search within a search engine's input field, such as Google or Yahoo, the words you use are called 'keywords.' This is the way the search engine determines the results to serve you based upon your input.

Various types of searches can be performed using double quotations around the phrase to perform an exact search, or no quotation marks, giving a result set that includes any variation of the words used. Many times the results are relevant to your search and often times they are not. It is the search engine's goal to provide as relevant of a search as they can for you so that you continue to use their services.

You will want to use a series of tools that help you determine which search terms are appropriate for your website and which ones make the most sense to rank for. As an example, it would not make a lot of sense to rank for 'golf' if you sell golf shirts. However, it would make a lot of sense to optimize your site for a keyword phrase such as 'Izod cotton golf shirt.' There is a great difference in the competitiveness of these two keyword search terms too.

What does Organic Search mean?

Organic search is also known as natural search. Both are different from paid in that they are 'Free!' Yep, that's right, you don't have to pay one red cent for a click. Your URL (universal resource locator) is listed in the SERPS (search engine research pages) upon querying your search term and when a user clicks on your title and / or description, they are taken to your website.

Obviously this is substantially different from paid. And since Google and Yahoo make they revenue (albeit 99.9%) from paid advertisements, you will pay to have your listings appear in the sponsored sections of their results.

What is Website Analytics?

Website analytics is the study of website traffic to, within and from your website. There are a number of great website traffic analytical tools available, but probably the best one of from Google, called Google Analytics.

It's not just the best because they offer it for free. It is the best because they purchased a very good analytics company called Urchin and have customized this tool to accommodate AdWords.

Simply sign up for an account and place the javascript within your site, preferably above the '</body>' tage and let it collect data.

You can assess the value of your keywords by reviewing a visitor's longevity and pageviews, what search terms they used, where they entered and where they exited.

All of these metrics, and many more, are invaluable to the webmaster or optimizer.

Hummert SEO can help you with all of these processes and many more. Simply call for a consultation and let us review your logs. We can work with you on a fee basis, monthly, annually, or simply as needed.