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Search Engine optimization is going to require some work on your part.  This work is worthy of your time though because without it you will not be bringing in enough traffic to support your site.  You will also notice that when your site does not do well in the Search Engines that your sales will decline.  If you are dependent upon these sales in order to make a living, then you will certainly agree that you need to spend time working on Search Engine optimization.

Search Engine optimization maintenance is going to require long-term dedication.  You cannot simply place a web page online in hopes that clients will find you.  If you want to make money then you need to have a Search Engine optimized site and you need to make sure that it stays optimized.  You cannot simply run an occasional Search Engine campaign.  You need to be in it for the long-term.

In order for your Search Engine optimization work to be effective in the long term you will need to constantly monitor your Search Engine algorithms since they can change quite often.  Another thing that you will want to monitor is the optimizations that your competitor is doing so that you can work to effectively meet their strategy.

You should always look at your web site as investment in time, money and effort.  For this reason it needs to be protected.  You can protect it through doing proper Search Engine optimization maintenance.  Doing so will ensure that your web site ranks high in the Search Engines in order that it will bring you enough traffic to keep the sales coming in.

Here are some tips that will help you with your Search Engine optimization maintenance.  If you want to rank well in the Search Engines you really do need to keep an eye on how your site is doing.  Some things that you should keep in mind include:

1. You need to check your pages regularly in order to be sure that they are still listed.  This really is the most important part of your Search Engine optimization efforts.  In actuality it is even more important than what keywords you choose to use. 

2. You need to look at your listings weekly in order to ensure that your site’s pages are properly displayed.  This is also a good time to see whether your listing has risen, dropped or remained constant.  Most likely you will not remain constant.  In fact, if you do remain constant then you have a small victory on your hands because most likely you have risen above the other pages that were formerly ranked higher than you while keeping those who were ranked below you at bay.

3. You need to look for any problems that may be occurring and fix them as fast as you can.  You should never think that these problems are going to simply fix themselves.  If you have any missing pages you should look to see why.  It may simply be that the Search Engine spider has encountered a problem but if you do not take the time to check it out you will never know for sure.  In cases where you really have made a mistake, make sure that you fix it as fast as you can so that you do not cost yourself money.

4. You should resubmit your site every time that you make a major change.  This is especially true if you have changed your titles since they are a very important part of Search Engine optimization.  In fact, the title tag can easily deliver an entire new set of keywords to the Search Engine.

5. You should create a monthly report detailing your site’s rankings.  This way you will be able to see if you need to make any changes.

6. You should continue to work on building your link popularity.

7. You should continue to submit your site to big directories.  These directories are what Search Engine spiders will use as a starting point.

8. You need to keep an eye on your competitors so that you know what methods they are using.  If you ever find that someone is cheating you should report him or her right away.  This will easily get them out of your way.

9. You should set goals for yourself.  Take the time to write out a plan for how you are going to do Search Engine optimization.  If things change, and most likely they will, then you should be sure to write down a new set of goals to follow.

10. You need to keep up to date on the latest Search Engine optimization information.

11. You need to monitor your site’s performance.  If you are not already monitoring your site’s traffic then you really need to find a tool to do so immediately.

12. You need to have a solid plan as to how you are going to manage your site’s growth.  If you hit a stone in the road you should not panic.

While this may sound like a lot of work it really is important work if you want to see your web site grow.  If your site does not grow your business will not move ahead.  Search Engine optimization really is the best way to gain more business and remain competitive.  You probably started your site so that you could make money and in order to do so you will need to run your site like a business. 

In reality, Search Engine optimization will only require a few hours of your time each week.  This is valuable work though because without the Search Engines you are not going to get enough traffic in order for you to make money on your site.


This Search Engines article was written by Chris Taylor on 12/13/2006

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Chris Taylor – author, internet marketer and SEO specialist – Catdynamics.com