Search Engine Optimization is no longer solely about keywords and meta-tags; good SEO is now about user experience and quality content.

Over the last few weeks the subject of SEO has popped up a number of times when I’ve been delivering workshops or reviewing existing websites. Alongside responsive websites it’s defiantly the biggest issue I am being asked to advise on. People are concerned nobody will be able to find their website and it’s a valid concern as 75% of people do not look past page one of search engines results, and over 80% of people who land on a website do so via a search engine.

The main problem I am seeing is that many people believe they have set-up good SEO because their website development software lets them add keywords into a pop up box for each page.  So when you look at the source code for each page the keywords are there, nestled in the <meta tags>, as expected. But good SEO needs more than that.

At the other end of the scale there is Googles 200 Ranking Factors, which I blogged about in February. Now this would be a nightmare to try and adhere to and you’d spend more time trying to tick 200 boxes than actually keeping your website up-to-date and engaging. So to that end I present the infographic below which covers what I believe are the five main areas that need to be considered and more importantly are easily to maintain.

For further advice on Social Media, both Alan McGee at Say Consultancy and Amanda Dixon at I am You Ltd can offer you some great advice. If you also  wish to engage a professional SEO support company then I’d advise you speak to Camille Taylor at Zebra Internet Services. Finally if engaging and clear content is not your strong point I’m sure Claire Bradley at Mallow Communications can help you get it right.

Infographic source: Old Town Media