Google Webmaster Guidelines - Part 1.

How well you know and understand the Google Webmaster Guidelines has a direct impact on how well you rank in the Google search engine as well as in Yahoo and Msn.

The first in a series of video’s that will dive into the Google Webmaster Guidelines. If your building websites / blogs to rank in Google, Yahoo or Msn you need to understand each aspect of the Guidelines.

Part One – Understanding The Google Webmaster Guidelines

Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links. Every page should be reachable from at least one static text link. Offer a site map to your users with links that point to the important parts of your site. If the site map is larger than 100 or so links, you may want to break the site map into separate pages. Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content. Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.

Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn’t recognize text contained in images. Make sure that your TITLE tags and ALT attributes are descriptive and accurate.

Part One Site Content, Links & Search Terms

1. Clear Hierarchy
   Right off the bat Google tells us they want site with “clear hierarchy and text links”. I think of this as the “pyramid site structure” divide your site into logical “sections or categories” place detailed content rich articles focusing on each category in the proper section.
2. Text Links
   The second and probably more important is a Google telling us they want text links. Most online marketers or seo understand that links are important, that also goes for your own links or “internal linking structure”. Take advantage of your own links – never use a navigation based on images or “buttons”.
3. Offer A Sitemap To Your Users
   Definitely not on the same level as the “text links” and “clear hierarchy”. I often do include a sitemap, however when launching a new site I often add a sitemap after the site has been online and is getting indexed well by Google. The reason I do this is that I don’t want to appear as a seo or internet marketer. Rather I would rather have Google think of my sites as hobby sites.
4. Information Rich Website
   Bottom line: you need between 400 and 650 words on each page of your website. This means unique articles or content that is NOT available else where on your site or the internet. This gives Google a good reason to spider your site and include your content in their index.
5. Think Abut The Words Users Would Type To Find Your Pages
   This one is huge, as important as text links and site structure. Don’t build or create one page until you understand:
   – what people are searching for
   – how competitive that phrase isTake full advantages of keyword tools and services like wordtracker.com and nichebot.com
6. Use Text
   Google uses the word text thee times in the paragraph above – images are for users. Text is for search engines – don’t skimp.

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Posted in Google Algorithm & Search Engine Optimization