Are you "optimized"

Are you optimized?  What does that mean?  "Optimized" refers to Search Engine Optimization or SEO.  SEO is the process whereby you ensure that your site is place higher than your rival or competitors website.  Basically there are two ways you can bring about SEO: you can either pay for it, via a Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising campaign or Organic SEO which means your webpage/website gets ranked on it's own with out paying for it.

Organic SEO is part art and part science.  And this is because the big search engines, such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN have their own algorithms and other "secret sauce" techniques that they keep secret.  These algorithms usually change frequently.  Probably one of the biggest things you can do for yourself if you want to get your brand or website out in front is think of all of the keywords that might be associated with your brand, business or site.  Keywords cannot be stressed enough.  You need to use keywords everywhere you can on your site.  Keywords need to be used in naming files and folders, in your meta tagging and descriptions, and keywords text in your links as opposed to "click here."

There are some useful and FREE sites that can help you with your SEO efforts:

http://www.majesticseo.com/
http://google.com/insights/search/#
http://www.google.com/analytics/
http://www.semrush.com/
http://www.seomoz.org
http://www.iwebtool.com
http://www.overture.com   Keyword Selector Tool


Another thing to remember is to minimize the use of flash and javascript as much as possible.  I know this doesn't sound smart because you may have some super-duper, cool, snazzy flash media on your site, but flash and javascript aren't searchable. Another by product of minimizing the use of flash/javascript is that it will make your site load quicker.  A fast loading site can also increase your rankings and rating to the search engine.  Make sure you keep your website up to date and fresh.  Try to occasionally add new content.  It not only will build new user interest, it may also boost your ranking with search engines.  But most of all, remember to have patience and persistence.